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

    2024 intake

    Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Advanced, Honours, Masters
    Mid-year entry: Friday 5 July 2024

    Bachelor of Music Theatre:
    CLOSED for 2024 entry

    2025 intake

    Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Advanced, Honours, Masters
    Main round: Monday 18 to Friday 22 November 2024

    Bachelor of Music Theatre:
    To be confirmed for 2025 entry

    Register for your audition/interview Pay audition/interview registration fee

    When registering, you must pay a non-refundable audition registration fee via the button above to be guaranteed an audition (search 'audition' in the University's online shop).

    Bachelor of Music applicants: there is an audition registration fee of $26 for first audition and $21 per subsequent audition.

    Bachelor of Music Theatre applicants: there is an audition registration fee of $66.

    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.

  • 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 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.

  • 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

    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.

    This course is open to commencing Elder Conservatorium students only. Applications for the course are currently closed.