LONDON COLLEGE OF MUSIC UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE LONDON COLLEGE OF MUSIC UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE This guide outlines information on how to apply for undergraduate courses in the London College of Music at the University of West London, how to prepare your portfolio and what to expect in the audition or interview. If you have any further questions about applying to the University of West London, please contact us on or at 0800 036 8888 courses@uwl.ac.uk Connected.
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CONTENTS Entry requirements and how to apply 4 Music Technology and Live Sound 7 Music Performance 11 Music Composition 16 Music Management 17 Theatre Production 19 Musical Theatre/Acting for Stage 21 3
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY Entry requirements To study with us, you must meet or expect to meet our general requirements, as well as any specific Level 3 entry requirements (GCSE Maths and English grade C or above) for your course. We will decide if your qualifications meet these requirements when considering your application. Any decision we make will also be based on your overall suitability for the course. For full entry requirement details for individual courses, please visit our website uwl.ac.uk. How to apply You can apply for full-time undergraduate degree courses at the University of West London through UCAS using Apply. Apply is an application system that allows you to apply online for full-time undergraduate courses in the United Kingdom. The application fee for this service is currently 23 for more than one choice or 12 for a single choice*. All applications should be made at www.ucas.com. UCAS deadlines for home/ EU students Applications submitted by the UCAS deadline of 15 January will be regarded as on-time applications and will be given equal consideration. You can still apply after that date, but your application will be considered late or treated as an application through UCAS Extra. Some courses may not have vacancies after 15 January, so you are advised to apply as early as possible before this date. Students at a school or college registered with UCAS All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students applications. You should obtain a buzzword from your tutor or careers adviser, which you will need when you register with UCAS. This establishes the organisation from which you are applying and allows your referee to attach your reference. Once you have completed your application, you submit it to your referee who will send the completed application to UCAS on your behalf. You can pay for your application online either by credit or debit card or by paying your school or other registered centre. *Prices are correct at the time this brochure went to print. Please check the UCAS website for the latest prices. 4
What happens next? UCAS will send an electronic copy of your application to the University where staff consider your qualifications, personal statement and referee s report. There is then a shortlisting process. In the case of some courses you will be asked to provide a portfolio of your previous work, and may be invited to an interview. We will then decide whether to offer you a conditional place on the course of your choice which will be secured if you achieve the desired grades. If you already have your examination results we may make you an unconditional offer. UCAS will inform you of our decision. Once you have received all of your offers, you must accept one as your first or firm choice and one as your second or insurance choice. If you are holding a conditional offer from us and your results meet the conditions of that offer, we will confirm your place as soon as we are informed of your results by UCAS (in some cases you may have to let us know your results yourself). If you narrowly miss the grades of your offer, you may still be offered a place on your original choice of course, or you may be offered a place on an alternative course such as a Foundation year or a DipHE. Staff are always on hand to advise you. Different courses within the London College of Music have slightly different requirements and application processes. The following pages provide answers to the most common questions for each course, including information on whether a portfolio, audition or interview is necessary for your chosen course, and how to prepare for each of these instances. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY 5
GENERAL FAQS GENERAL FAQS What performance opportunities are there? There are opportunities across the year to showcase your work. LCM Live is a series of performance events taking place at a number of locations within the College and across London. Major curriculum developments across the past few years have enabled LCM to move forwards in creating a platform of exciting opportunities for the entire University to witness and share. You can see out current list of live events at uwl.ac.uk/lcmlive to see the range of performances you would have the opportunity to participate in. Can I join in with other subjects in music? Yes, there are a number of ways you can get involved in music outside of your course: London College of Music Sinfonia London College of Music Chorus and Chamber Choir London College of Music Big Band London College of Music does Glee! London College of Music String Ensemble Bloco LCM 6
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY Courses that may require an interview and portfolio: DipHE Music Technology Specialist FdA Music Technology BA (Hons) Music Technology (Top-up) BA (Hons) Music Technology (Specialist) BA (Hons) Music Technology with Composition BA (Hons) Music Technology with Radio Broadcasting BA (Hons) Music Technology with Video Production BA (Hons) Live Sound Production Courses that may require an interview, portfolio and audition (there will be a 25 audition fee): BA (Hons) Music Technology with Music Performance BA (Hons) Music Technology and Pop Music Performance What does the interview consist of? You will be asked questions about your musical influences, current musical activity, ambitions etc. This tells us something about you, the person behind the application. If you have had an audition, you will be asked why you chose to perform that piece. You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions about the course for which you are applying. The interview will cover a wide range of topics, but thinking about the following points will help you prepare: your submitted portfolio (where applicable), the concepts involved and the techniques you used, composers and/or performers that have influenced your work, your choice of pieces, ensemble activities etc. the courses you are currently studying at school or college, your understanding of the course you re applying for at LCM, your personal statement on your UCAS form, your career aspirations. We advise applicants to treat the audition and interview very seriously, so take the time to prepare for both your performance and your interview thoroughly. MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 7
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY MUSIC TECHNOLOGY What am I required to bring to the interview? Bring your interview appointment paperwork eg invitation letter etc. and all subject relevant material for the course you are applying for including any new work you may have made since submitting your portfolio. What do you mean by a portfolio? A portfolio, or show reel, is often required in the media industries. Given the diversity of skills and backgrounds that our courses draw upon, it is difficult to define the contents of a portfolio, but here are some basic guidelines you should follow: It is a way to present your abilities, commitment and ideas in written or recorded format for others to appreciate. We would usually expect to see a mix of practice-based material such as recordings and appropriate supporting written work. The written material is used to support and describe the contents of your portfolio. Within reason, you are encouraged to use any suitable method to enhance the presentation of your work in order to make it accessible, interesting and user friendly. If you are applying for the BA (Hons) Music Technology with Music Composition course you will need to submit example scores to demonstrate your composition background as part of your portfolio. What formats are accepted for portfolio submission? We expect standard, two-channel audio presented on CD/R - known as Redbook, the type which will play on a standard domestic CD player. It may be that your work has a visual component in which case DVD media could also be included. If you are heavily involved in performance or managing bands, clubs, DJing etc. then a you may wish to supplement your portfolio with paper-based material such as flyers, reviews, letters etc. but we would still be expecting to hear audio material for which you are responsible. DO NOT provide data discs (eg Pro Tools session and audio files), mixed mode, multisession or multi-mode CDs we will not accept mp3 audio tracks for your portfolio. Can I submit my portfolio via email? Unless specifically requested by us, we do not accept portfolios via email, and if received your application is likely to be rejected. To be able to treat all applicants on an equal basis we require portfolio submissions to comply with the format outlined above. How many tracks should I submit? Please carefully consider the previous reference to showing your ability and commitment and submit a sufficient number of tracks for this to be properly determined. 8
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY Do you always ask for a portfolio? No. Portfolios are requested from students to demonstrate their level of ability in their desired subject area. However, in some cases we do not require a portfolio, for instance, if you have studied Music Technology at A level or BTEC and passed with good grades (or have predicted good grades) then this will be sufficient evidence of your ability. I need a portfolio for interview but my college will not give my work back. What should I do? Within educational establishments once work has been submitted for assessment the student generally loses ownership and it becomes the property of the institution, which can leave you unable to provide a portfolio when asked if your college is not willing to release the work. This often happens on FE courses and can be for a number of reasons such as the work is being marked/moderated or it has been archived for audit etc. Applicants in this predicament are unfortunately in a weak position with regard to getting on our course, as we need to see a portfolio to consider offering you a place. You will need to be pro-active and keep backups or duplicate copies of your work prior to it being submitted for assessment. We also recommend that you discuss this issue with your tutors to ensure you aren t left without a portfolio. What are you looking for in the supporting written document? Do not underestimate the significance of the supporting written document as we consider it to be as important as the audio material you provide. We need to be able to fully understand the relationship between you and the material you present in your portfolio. The written supporting document should be organised to provide clarity and prevent ambiguity. Here is an overview of aspects that you should consider within your supporting written document: Context An overview of the context of your work for example: What was the full extent of your involvement in the work? Be explicit and avoid ambiguity. What was the context within which the work was made? Who wrote the material? Who produced it? Who are the performers? Who did you work with and what were their roles? When was it produced? What are the ideas based on? What are the ideas behind the work? What/who are the influences? MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 9
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY MUSIC TECHNOLOGY Technical details A description of the equipment and software used and techniques involved in making your tracks, such as: What audio recording, editing and sequencing environments did you use? State hardware and software versions used. Which microphones did you use, and why? How did you set them up? How did you put the track together in your sequencing software? What types of effects, eq and dynamics did you use, and how did you use them? What file format did you use when mixing down your track to stereo (eg wav, AIFF, mp3) and why did you choose that format? What formats are accepted for written submissions? We expect the supporting written document to be provided in printed form, on paper, to accompany the CDs/DVDs. We will not accept document files via email or CD, as we will not be able to print these out for you. 10
MUSIC PERFORMANCE Courses that may require an interview and audition (there will be a 25 audition fee): BMus (Hons) Music Performance BMus (Hons) Music Performance with Foundation Courses that may require an interview, portfolio and audition (there will be a 25 audition fee): BMus (Hons) Music Performance with Music Management BMus (Hons) Music Performance with Music Technology BMus (Hons) Music Performance and Recording BMus (Hons) Music Performance and Recording with Foundation Please note that wherever reference is made to instrument, this includes voice. Course-specific information BMus (Hons) Music Performance and Recording A minimum of Grade 6 performance standard is required. If applying for this course you will also be asked to provide a portfolio outlining your technology skills. The following information offers guidance as to what you should include. What we are looking for in the portfolio Your portfolio should be a demonstration of your skills in music technology and knowledge of the techniques involved. We would like to hear a number of musical tracks (a minimum of two), involving some or all of the following: recordings of acoustic instruments and vocals, MIDI sequencing, the use of virtual (plug-in) instruments and/ or hardware electronic instruments, and skills in mixing and the use of effects. Please also provide a supporting written document, describing the relationship between you and the material you present in your portfolio, including a description of the techniques you used in recording, sequencing and mixing your tracks. Written work - context A number of aspects should be considered within your written support document: What was the context within which the work was made? Who wrote the material? Who produced it? Who are the performers? Who did you work with and what were their roles? When was it produced? What are the ideas based on? What are the ideas behind the work? What/who are the influences? Written work - technical details Include a description of the equipment and software used, and the techniques employed in making your tracks, such as: Which microphones did you use, and why? How did you set them up? How did you put the track together in your sequencing software? MUSIC PERFORMANCE 11
MUSIC PERFORMANCE MUSIC PERFORMANCE What types of effects, eq and dynamics did you use, and how did you use them? What file format did you use when mixing down your track to stereo (eg wav, aiff, mp3) and why did you choose that format? Do you audition and interview all applicants? Not all courses require an audition/interview, and we may in some cases offer a place without the need to interview or audition a candidate. Most applicants are auditioned and interviewed in person. Some applicants from overseas may submit a performance on DVD or electronically as an audition. Please contact us directly to discuss this option. What does the interview section consist of? You will be asked questions about your musical influences, current musical activity, ambitions etc. If you have also done an audition, you will be asked why you chose to perform a certain piece. This tells us something about you, the person behind the application. You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions about the course for which you are applying. The interview will cover a wide range of topics, but thinking about the following points will help you to prepare: your submitted portfolio (where applicable), the concepts involved and the techniques you usedcomposers and/ or performers that have influenced your work, your choice of pieces, ensemble activities etc. the courses you are currently studying at school or college understanding of the course you re applying for at LCM personal statement on your UCAS form your career aspirations. We advise applicants to treat the audition and interview very seriously, take the time to prepare for both your performance and your interview thoroughly. I have Grade 8 in performance on my chosen instrument, do I need to audition? If your Grade 8 certificate is recent (attained within the last 6 months - 1 year) this is usually acceptable without the need to audition. However, if you achieved your grade some time ago, it is possible you will be asked to audition to confirm you are still at that standard. 12
MUSIC PERFORMANCE I have Grade 8 in performance on one instrument, but wish to specialise in another instrument. Will my grade be acceptable without the need to audition? You must tell us at the outset what your principal instrument of study will be. The Grade 8 requirement must apply to your chosen specialism. Therefore an audition will be necessary if your grade does not apply to that instrument. I don t have any grades in performance. Can I still be considered? Of course, but only if you genuinely think you could be at the required standard. You will be notified by our admissions team if you will need to come in for audition. You must still satisfy the theory criteria by taking our written theory test. I have a Grade 5 certificate in Music Theory. Will I need to be tested? Again, if your certificate is recent this will be acceptable without the need to sit a test. However, please be aware that you may still be asked certain questions related to theory in order to confirm that your knowledge is still up-to-date. We recommend that all applicants undertake revision prior to the interview/audition day. I don t have any Music Theory grades. Can I still be considered? Yes you can, but you will be required to take our written theory test after the practical audition. I believe I m a great player/ singer, but have absolutely no idea about music theory. Will my ability as a performer suffice? Unfortunately, performance ability in itself will not be sufficient. No matter how good your performance is at the audition, your offer can only ever be conditional on your achieving the required Music Theory Grade 5, or successfully taking our written theory test. Therefore, knowledge of music theory is essential. What sort of questions can I expect in the theory test? You will be asked a range of questions in line with Grade 5 standard. This will include writing out key signatures, the correct musical intervals between two given notes, scales (the various minor scales, major, pentatonic etc.) and rhythms and metres. You will be asked to write out a few chords in notation, usually in more than one inversion. You should also be aware of the modes (Dorian, Mixolydian etc.). You should refer to the 6 sections to be found at: www.popularmusictheory.org This will provide useful guidance. MUSIC PERFORMANCE 13
MUSIC PERFORMANCE Will I be tested in sightreading at my audition? All applicants will undergo basic tests in sight-reading at audition. In the case of singers, this will involve sight singing and rhythm reading exercises. The tests will be Grade 5 standard and you will be given a short time to look at them first. I am a guitarist taught to read Tablature (Tab). Will this suffice for the sight-reading requirement? No. In professional industry, guitarists are invariably required to read conventional music. The sight-reading test for guitarists will include basic chord rhythm parts, as well as a couple of lines of notation at Grade 5 standard. What can I expect for the performance part of the audition? Pop applicants Pop applicants will be asked to play (or sing) two pieces of music or songs. It is entirely up to you which ones you choose, and you may perform original material. The two pieces MUST be in contrasting styles. This is to enable us to assess your ability across your chosen instrument. You can choose to perform to a backing track (bring a CD or ipod with your backing music on please), or perform unaccompanied. You may also bring along an accompanist, but please notify us in advance so that this can be accommodated. We may need to arrange for your accompanist to have a piano or guitar amp! You will be asked to perform certain exercises related to your instrument. These may include scales, arpeggios, rhythm exercises etc. Drummers will be asked to demonstrate technique by playing exercises at the required standard. You will also be given basic sight-reading tests. Classical/Jazz applicants Classical/Jazz applicants will be asked to perform up to ten minutes of music, normally two pieces in contrasting styles. Singers should be prepared to perform 2-3 pieces or songs. You may bring an accompanist (usually a pianist) or we can provide a pianist if needed. Most instrumentalists will perform solo. You will be asked to perform certain exercises related to your instrument. These may include scales and arpeggios, as well as aural tests, theory questions and sightreading. If you have not passed Grade 5 Music Theory, you will be asked to take a written test, which will include questions on chords and cadences. What should I bring to the audition? Guitarists and bass players should bring their instrument. Amplification is provided. If you need to use your own mains powered effect units, please be aware that due to Health and Safety regulations, these MUST have passed a current PAT test (Portable Appliance Test). Our amps do have basic effects and overdrive built in. Don t forget 14
MUSIC PERFORMANCE plectrums, capos and tuners if needed. Drummers just need to bring sticks (and brushes if required). Keyboard players are auditioned on piano. All other instrumentalists should bring their instrument. If you are using your own backing tracks, these should be brought on a CD or an ipod. If you have recently passed your Grade 5 theory and are claiming exemption from the theory test, please remember to bring your certificate. What careers do graduates of the course go into? Our graduates are currently employed across the music industry with successful careers working as solo artists, performers and arrangers in conjunction with orchestras and theatres as well as jazz and contemporary groups. Graduates also have also entered the related areas of music publishing and arts management, instrumental or vocal teaching and (after further study) classroom teaching. How do I submit my portfolio? You can submit your portfolio in one of two ways: 1. Upload your tracks to SoundCloud, www.soundcloud.com (you will need to set up a user account to do this), include the link to your SoundCloud files in your written work, and send a PDF document of the written work to Undergraduate Admissions, undergraduate.admissions@uwl.ac.uk MUSIC PERFORMANCE 2. Submit the portfolio on an audio CD (known as Red Book, the type which will play on a standard domestic CD player) with written work in printed form, and post it all to: Undergraduate Admissions Walpole House 18-22 Bond Street Ealing London W5 5AA 15
MUSIC COMPOSITION MUSIC COMPOSITION Courses that will require the submission of a portfolio of compositions BMus (Hons) Music Composition BMus (Hons) Music Composition with Music Management BMus (Hons) Music Composition with Music Technology BMus (Hons) Music Composition with Foundation What kind of pieces should I offer for audition? You should audition on your principal instrument. The pieces you offer should be contrasting in style, tempo, character/ expression etc. and should show the range of your technique and expressive abilities. You may offer pieces you are working on for your grade examinations. The total length of your audition should be not more than 10 minutes. In the case of a long movement, choose a section that you would like us to hear. Portfolio You will be asked to send a portfolio of compositions prior to interview. If you wish you can send recordings of the pieces, but this is not essential. The portfolio should preferably include some examples of hand-written manuscript work and may be entirely hand written throughout. Please send photocopies only and not originals. Please note that scores generated via MIDI files are not acceptable and we are looking for careful presentation including details of tempo, dynamics and articulation. These are assessed by a member of the composition staff and will be discussed with you at the interview. All styles are considered. We will expect you to have some knowledge of instrumentation and harmonic progression. You will also be required to complete some simple aural tests. 16
MUSIC MANAGEMENT This is a course for those interested in the business side of music. We welcome applications from both Level 3 students progressing straight into University and those who have been working and wish to return to studying. Information relating to your love of music and possibly your participation in music is welcome but not essential. If, for example you are or have been involved in managing bands, staging clubor live events, DJing, blogging etc. then this information supported with online or paper based material such as flyers, reviews, letters, etc. would be helpful but not essential. Written work Some applicants may be invited to complete a piece of written work to demonstrate their competence in writing about music. Do you interview all applicants? For the BA (Hons) Music Management course we offer a number of outstanding applicants a place without interviewing, but we usually invite you for interview so we can discuss your suitability for the course, giving you the chance to meet us and talk through your knowledge and passion for the subject. We wholly welcome applications from musicians and others engaged in music who seek to understand the business side of music, as well as those already involved in/ studying music What can I expect from the interview? The interview is an informal opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge of and passion for the business aspects of music including management, record labels, live work, marketing, promotion and PR. You can also discuss how you are (or have been or hope to be ) engaged in music, for example perhaps staging local events, being in or managing a band, writing reviews, blogging etc. Is it compulsory to supply information relating to music business experience? No, we understand many applicants are beginning on a career in music and do not possess experience so this information is not compulsory, it is simply useful to see examples of your current or previous music management or business related projects if you have them. What formats are accepted for information? Any information can be submitted via email and if possible it s helpful to bring a physical copy with you to your interview. (For overseas students, we are happy to do interviews via Skype). MUSIC MANAGEMENT 17
MUSIC MANAGEMENT What should I bring to my interview? Please remember to bring your interview appointment paperwork eg invitation letter etc. You should also bring any subject relevant material appropriate to the course you are applying for. What careers do graduates of the course go into? MUSIC MANAGEMENT Our graduates have gone on to careers in music artist management, live music events, record label management, music publishing and various positions in the music industry including in music PR, online and social media. 18
THEATRE PRODUCTION Why do I need to attend an interview? We interview students and ask to see a portfolio of your previous work prior to offering places on the course to check you have the skills and knowledge to succeed and, more importantly, to give you the opportunity to meet us and check the course is right for you. Studying a degree in Theatre Production with us is a very rewarding experience and will introduce you to a large number of theatre contacts and companies to help you get that first step in your career. What should I bring to my interview? Please remember to bring your interview appointment paperwork eg invitation letter etc. You should also bring any subject relevant material appropriate to the course you are applying for, including your portfolio if required. What are you looking for in a portfolio? Your portfolio can include examples of 3D work (photos are acceptable but at least one actual example is good), examples of figure drawing with clothing or costume, and some examples of art and design work for performance. These are likely to come from your previous studies but can also reflect your hobbies such as Amateur Dramatic group work. What can I expect from the interview? When you come to the interview, we will not only be looking at your artistic ability but also getting to know what kind of person you are. We want to see what you have to offer to the theatre, art and performance industries and to give you the opportunity to meet us and ask questions. Some points to consider that will help you prepare for your interview are: your personality, including your strengths when working in a team environment or being directed to assist in the creation of someone else s vision. how well you communicate, such as your skills in passionately communicating the concepts and methods in your portfolio. For example, could you talk about them without actually showing the interviewer your work? your passion for the subject area and the theatre industry. It can be a tough industry to work in so it is important that you love what you do! your understanding, flexibility and creativity in the design aspect of theatre production. Design within the theatre industry often means being the artistic hand of a director. You will need a positive attitude and an ability to compromise, which often means being even more creative to develop solutions that suit everyone involved. We will be looking for qualities in you that demonstrate your potential to work within these circumstances. MUSIC MANAGEMENT 19
THEATRE PRODUCTION we will of course also talk about your talent! This is where your portfolio will be useful in demonstrating your strengths and creativity. What academic requirements do you expect from applicants? General requirements: Further Education (High School level) qualifications in Art and possibly Theatre. An Art Foundation qualification or A/AS levels A knowledge and passion for theatre/ dance/opera/performance art/puppetry. Some recognised evidence of written academic study such as English. We also consider applications from students who do not meet the academic requirements but have considerable work experience. THEATRE PRODUCTION 20
MUSICAL THEATRE AND ACTING FOR STAGE Courses that may require an interview and audition: BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Course Code: WW45) BA (Hons) Acting for Stage (Course Code: W410) There is a 40 audition fee for both the Musical Theatre and Acting for Stage courses. Which course should I apply for? The structure and content of the first year of study, in both degree courses, will be identical. In the second and third year of the degree course you will specialise and concentrate in either Musical Theatre or Acting for Stage as a discrete discipline. You will be required to confirm the degree course of your choice at the time of application. How long is the audition? You will be required to attend for the whole day from 10am. It is important if you are travelling a long distance that you make suitable travel arrangements to enable you to stay until 3.30pm due to the nature of the selection process. How do I confirm my audition? The possible audition dates will be displayed on our website. You need to confirm your attendance by payment of the audition fee. What should I expect in the audition? Your audition will be in two sections. In the first section you will be required to participate in: a short dance/movement session (WW45/W410) a vocal and general musicianship workshop (WW45) a short improvisation workshop (W410) In the second section you will be required to: prepare and perform a monologue from a contemporary play (post 1980) - 20 lines maximum prepare and perform a musical theatre* song, approximately 32-64 bars prepare and perform a musical theatre* lyric as a dramatic monologue (WW45) prepare and perform a Sonnet by William Shakespeare (W410) submit a piece of writing relevant to any aspect of your work or interest in the area of either musical theatre or acting for stage (1,000-1,500 words approx) *Do not consider presenting any material, sung or spoken, from a play or musical currently running in the West End. 21
MUSICAL THEATRE AND ACTING FOR STAGE What should I bring to the audition? Wear loose comfortable clothing suitable for an audition and appropriate footwear. Bring copies of your monologue, song lyrics (WW45) or sonnet (W410) and appropriately annotated vocal/piano score (sheet music) for your chosen song. Will I get feedback on my audition? No written feedback will be given to you following the audition, but you will get a clear verbal response from members of the panel regarding your performance work undertaken within the workshop and audition. What do you require from the written statement? The purpose of this task is to assess your competence to communicate your interest and your engagement in the field of musical theatre. The writing should be from a personal point of view identifying your interest in musical theatre and provide clarification as to why you are appropriate for an undergraduate honours degree. Please do not submit course work edited and marked by your tutors. The panel is seeking to discover your genuine enthusiasm for the subject. Amongst many topics for discussion you might consider: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) a recent production seen; a detailed discussion of how you prepare yourself to perform a song; a recent production in which you were involved; or a specific area of musical theatre that fascinates and inspires you. 22
MUSICAL THEATRE AND ACTING FOR STAGE What does it mean to:... prepare and perform a musical theatre lyric as a dramatic monologue? You are expected to work on the text of a song lyric and then use this text as a spoken monologue in order to create a character and situation that is appropriate to the words spoken. Why only 32-64 bars of a song? The purpose of the audition is to sell yourself in the most positive way you can. When you prepare your audition song aim to sing for one minute and be able to display as many facets of your vocal skill as possible. If we want to hear more the panel will request this! Do I have to bring copies of audition material? Yes. While the panel will not require a copy of you repertoire, we strongly advise that you bring copies of everything you are performing for your own welfare and well-being within the audition process. The tension on the day is often high and there is a tendency for your memory to let you down. By having everything you need for a prompt, you ll remove this stress. Bring clean, unmarked texts to the audition to help you if you forget words in the moment. Don t bring annotated versions, we are interested in what you do at the moment of performing rather than seeing you trying to work out what you intended to do in your performance from comments written on the page. 23
MUSICAL THEATRE AND ACTING FOR STAGE What is involved in the general musicianship workshop? In order to be successful in the field of musical theatre it is essential that you have a good ear for the music and can be reliable when working in a chorus or small ensemble. You do not need perfect pitch but as time is always precious within the rehearsal room the repetition of instructions either musical or textual are not common. Therefore we require you to have a quick mind and to be able to answer simple questions relating to pitch and intonation. We request you to sing simple melodic and rhythmic phrases, recognise major and minor chords, numbers of notes within a chord played twice on the piano and other simple aural exercises that would be appropriate to the journey of an actor-singer. If in doubt seek guidance from your present tutor or teacher as to how to prepare for this aspect of the audition. Is character make-up allowed? No. Definitely not required or necessary. Do I have to wear black? No. However, it is necessary to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for a short vocal workshop. Avoid sparkly tops and hot pants. Aim for a sense of neutrality to be observed in order for the different characters you perform and their physicality to be communicated in an objective manner. Please do not wear jewellery for your audition. Can I use backing tracks? No. You must bring correctly prepared sheet music. Aim to photocopy the song to be performed and make certain that it is suitably prepared for the accompanist. Single sheets are likely to fall off the piano and the accompanist will be spending more time picking up your music than accompanying you. Cellotape the sheets together, do not staple the music. Can I use transposed songs? Yes. But there must be a significant technical or artistic reason as to why this is necessary. 24
MUSICAL THEATRE AND ACTING FOR STAGE How will the audition day be structured? In the morning session you will be required to take part in a short dance/movement session where you will learn a short sequence to test movement memory. You will then be requested to take part in a short voice warm up and respond to general musicianship tests. Following this you will then be asked to sing your prepared song and perform the song lyric as a dramatic monologue. At this point in the day the results from the morning audition will be considered and those who have passed the audition so far will be asked to stay. The final stage of the audition will consist of presenting your prepared monologue and being re-directed on any aspect of your presented work as observed by the panel throughout the entire audition day. There will be a natural break in the middle of the day and there will be an opportunity to take refreshment. There are several cafes close to the University in addition to those on the University campus itself. However, you are advised to bring water with you for the duration of the audition. Some general words of advice for giving the best audition Ensure the song is in the correct key for your voice and that you are aware of the piano accompaniment. Try to cut down piano interludes of more than 2 bars. The panel want to hear you sing not the accompanist play. Select songs that suit your voice and pick the section of the song that shows off your voice the best. Keep in mind that the verse is never better than the refrain. Avoid songs that you know are sung often. Know the correct tempo so that you can communicate this to the accompanist. Use appropriate audition material suitable to showing your strengths in the field of musical theatre. Avoid using monologues from plays and songs from shows that you have recently performed. When re-directed these candidates often resist the instruction or guidance they are given and so show a reluctance to accept direction. Where possible, do not sit down to present your pieces. This is an audition and we need to be aware of your entire physicality and skills to create and embody character. Please have detailed knowledge of the repertoire chosen for your audition plus general knowledge of musical theatre to identify your strengths within this field. You should also ensure you are prepared physically for the audition by getting enough rest for at least two days before your audition, try to avoid milk or dairy 25
products the evening before you come to meet us and take a moment to warm up silently before going into the audition room. And finally, a few pointers for what not to do! Never set yourself a challenge in the audition. This is your moment to shine and show the panel what you can do. Always perform material with which you are familiar not something that you have just learnt. Don t sing anything that is out of your range or material that is musically too difficult for you. Don t sing material in which you are constantly aware of the technical requirements. Avoid anything that goes on for too long or material that is too self-indulgent or too negative. You should also be careful not to choose anything that is emotionally too difficult for you to handle. Do not choose songs with difficult accompaniments. While you will have been working on the song for several months, the pianist is sight reading. 26
COME TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS AND FIND OUT WHY... 94% of our graduates are in employment within six months of graduating* uwl.ac.uk/open * According to Employment Performance Indicators (EPI) figures published by HESA on 4 July 2013. Graduates who have studied an undergraduate degree programme 27
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LCM All-Steinway School 29
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We hope you have found this guide useful, and we look forward to receiving your application! If you have any further questions, or would like to discuss the course before applying please contact us on 0800 036 8888, email us at courses@uwl.ac.uk or come to one of our open days to speak to us in person. For upcoming open days please visit uwl.ac.uk/open. LONDON COLLEGE OF MUSIC UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE