Auditions

The Elder Conservatorium of Music auditions take place in November each year and give you the chance to take a limited spot in our world-class music programs. 

All prospective students applying are required to undertake an audition or interview for each area of specialisation or instrument they are applying for. Registration for auditions are submitted online directly to the Conservatorium.

Your steps to join a world-class musical institution:

  • Step 1: Register for your audition and pay registration fee

    2025 intake

    Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Advanced, Honours, Masters
    Mid-year entry: Friday 4 July 2025

    2026 intake

    Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Advanced, Honours, Masters
    Main round: Monday 24 to Friday 28 November 2025

     

    Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Advanced, Honours, Masters

    Guide to the dates for each area/instrument:
    Please note that this is subject to change

    Date Area / Instrument
    Monday 24 Nov Music Education, Bachelor of Teaching
    Monday 24 Nov Classical Performance - voice, brass, percussion
    Tuesday 25 Nov Classical - woodwind
    Tuesday 25 Nov Creative Practice - Sonic Arts
    Wednesday 26 Nov Classical Performance - strings
    Wednesday 26 Nov Creative Practice - Popular Music
    Thursday 27 Nov Jazz Performance - voice, woodwind, brass
    Thursday 27 Nov Creative Practice - Composition
    Friday 28 Nov Jazz Performance - strings
    Friday 28 Nov Classical Performance - piano

     

    Bachelor of Music Theatre

    Date City
    Saturday 1 Nov Adelaide
    Sunday 2 Nov Adelaide
    Wednesday 5 Nov Brisbane
    Thursday 6 Nov Melbourne
    Saturday 8 Nov Perth

    *Adelaide applicants may choose either day that suits, you do not need to be present at both days.

    *Auditions will not be held in Sydney this year - NSW applicants should attend in an alternative city, or register for a recorded audition.

     

    Registration forms

    Register for your audition/interview

    One form for each audition

    You must complete a separate audition registration form for each different instrument/area audition you wish to do.

    International students: to begin your application, you will need to apply for your program via International Recruitment and Admissions Services. International students do not ordinarily need to register for an audition BUT if you are in Australia and wanting to undertake a face-to-face audition, you will need to complete the registration form.

     

    Registration fees

    Pay registration fee

    Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Music Advanced: $26 for your first audition, and $21 each per subsequent audition

    Bachelor of Music Theatre: $66

    This non-refundable audition registration fee must be paid to be guaranteed an audition time-slot.
    Search 'audition' in the University's online shop at the link above.
    See audition registration fee payment help for steps to complete the payment process.

    *There is NO audition registration fee for Honours or Masters applicants.

    *This fee is NOT the same as your SATAC application fee, that is different.

  • Step 2: Apply for entry into your program/s of choice

    Domestic students
    You will need to lodge an application through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit the SATAC website.

    International students
    Your will need to lodge an application through our International Admissions Service. You do not need to register for an audition BUT if you are in Australia and wish to do a face-to-face audition then you will also need to complete the audition registration form.

    Current UoA student
    You will need to lodge an internal transfer application.

  • Step 3: Prepare for your audition/interview

    Please ensure you have followed the audition requirements for your specialisation:

    Audition requirements by program

    The Conservatorium does not provide accompanists, except for the Bachelor of Music Theatre auditions. All other auditions that require an accompanist should contact the Accompanists' Guild of SA

    Applicants should contact accompanists as early as possible as auditions cannot be rescheduled to accommodate accompanist availability.

    On the day of your audition, please ensure you arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition or interview. You will receive notification of your audition outcome following your audition.

    We look forward to meeting you!

  • Musicianship test

    The musicianship test is held at the end of each year and mandatory for all commencing undergraduate students.

    The test is conducted online and successful applicants will be sent an email with log on and other details/instructions as soon as the test is ready to go.

    The test aims to assess the applicant's general level of musicianship, which involves the ability to identify and recognise musical concepts within aural, written and theoretical contexts. The test comprises:

    • Aural questions covering rhythm, tonality, melody and harmony
    • Score interpretation questions about a given short piano extract
    • Theoretical questions such as keys, major and minor scales, intervals and chords.

    In addition to undertaking the test, applicants may be asked to provide details of their theoretical background and copies of any recent certificates. The test is similar in content to the SACE Music Studies exam - past SACE Music Studies exam papers are available from the SACE website.

  • Audition terms and conditions

    All domestic and international applicants currently living in Adelaide must attend an audition/interview at the University of Adelaide.

    Overseas and interstate applicants may submit a recorded audition/folio of works (please note, only international applicants may submit a recorded audition for the Bachelor of Music Theatre).

    • Where there is more than one session for an instrument/area, applicants will be scheduled in the first available session. Applicants cannot request a later session if an earlier one is available.
    • Applicants will be scheduled and notified of their times via email as applications are received.
    • If there are genuine and extenuating circumstances preventing an applicant from being available for a session then a request to change must be made in writing to auditions@adelaide.edu.au.
  • Music Theory bridging course

    The Music Theory Bridging Course is designed for students commencing tertiary studies in music who have not studied Stage 2 Musicianship or AMEB Grade 5 Theory or Musicianship. The course aims to fast-track essential music theory topics in a functional and musical way. It offers participants the opportunity to improve their fluency in musical literacy through singing, aural work, score-reading, analysis and composition thereby consolidating the various theoretical topics covered, namely:

    • Major and minor keys, scales, circle of 5ths and key relationships.
    • Intervals, triads and chords, 7th chords, chord symbols.
    • Chord functions in Major and Minor keys.
    • Triad/chord inversions.
    • Harmonic progression including cadences, chord voicing and voice leading principles.
    • Non-harmonic notes, musical analysis.

    A course booklet will be provided upon commencement in the program.

    This course is open to commencing Elder Conservatorium students only. Registrations are currently closed, and will reopen at the end of the year.