Auditions
The Elder Conservatorium of Music auditions take place in September and November 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
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Step 1: Choose your music program
From contemporary music, to jazz, sonic arts and classical, align your musical career with your passion.
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Step 2: Apply
Domestic students: To begin your application, you will need to apply for your program via SATAC.
International students: To begin your application, you will need to apply for your program via International Application System (IAS). International students do not need to register for an audition.
Current UoA student: Apply via internal transfer.
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Step 3: Register online for your audition
2023 intake
Mid-year entry: Friday 7 July 2023 (for commencement in semester 2, 2023)
Bachelor of Music Theatre: Closed
2024 intake
First round: Monday 25 to Friday 29 September 2023
Second round: Monday 20 to Friday 24 November 2023
Mid-year entry: TBC
Bachelor of Music Theatre:
Brisbane - Saturday 7 October 2023
Sydney - Saturday 14 October 2023
Perth - Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 October 2023
Melbourne - Saturday 28 October 2023
Adelaide - Friday 3 & Saturday 4 November 2023Audition registration fee
Bachelor of Music applicants: there is an audition registration fee of $25 for first audition and $20 per subsequent audition (search 'audition' in the University's online shop).
Bachelor of Music Theatre applicants: there is an audition registration fee of $66, payable prior to your audition (search 'audition' in the University's online shop).
One form for each audition
You must complete a separate audition form for each different instrument/area you want to audition for.
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Step 4: Check your audition requirements
Check your audition requirements by the program you have applied for.
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Step 5: Prepare
Please ensure you have followed the audition requirements for your specialisation. The Conservatorium does not provide accompanists - you will need to contact the Accompanists' Guild of SA if you require one for your audition.
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 in following your audition.
We look forward to meeting you!
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Step 6: 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 are 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.
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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.
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Music Theory bridging course
Music theory
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. Additional resources recommended to students include the AMEB publication ‘Music Craft' Grade 3 and the music software Musition and Auralia.
The Music Theory Bridging Course will be run in February each year, applications are currently closed. This course is open to commencing Elder Conservatorium students only.