AUDITION ADVICE

SPECIALIST SECONDARY PROGRAMS

Gifted and Talented (GAT/GATE/G&T) music programs in Perth are primarily offered through specialised public schools, including Churchlands Senior High School, John Curtin College of the Arts and Mount Lawley Senior High School. These programs include intensive training, ensembles, and performance opportunities.

It is important to note that students who accept a place in one of these Gifted & Talented Music Programs are expected to continue to study music to the end of Year 12. If a student drops out during the course, not only has another student been denied the opportunity to be a part of the G&T Music Program, but the balance of an ensemble and the quality of the experience for all other students involved has been affected. If you are not in the catchment area of that high school, you may be asked to leave.

You should only consider auditioning for a Gifted and Talented program if you want to commit to the program for the entire length of your high school experience. This means that you will have to attend rehearsals in the evenings, weekends and during school holidays. There will also be additional commitments beyond those of your peers who are not in the program. You will be expected to want to participate in those commitments because you love music and cannot think of doing anything else except that.

Gifted and Talented programs are only able to maintain high standards if all students are committed to the program. Attendance at rehearsals, lessons and performances, as well as a positive attitude to regular practice is a requirement. Students and parents share the responsibility in maintaining the program's high standards and excellent reputation.

In order to gain entry into these programs, rigorous auditions are held in Year 6 for Year 7 entry (beginning of high school). It is highly encouraged that singers have had a minimum of 2 years private study that includes technical work and stage performance work prior to auditioning for these programs.

Please, do not sign up your child to audition because 'you think it will be fun' and they have sung in the school choir the past few years. You will be competing against students who often play multiple instruments, read music fluently, practice regularly, have previously performed solos in performances and have attended additional extension programs to ensure they are ready for the rigors of such an audition.

In the past two years, the majority of these programs have now required pre-screening videos with the student singing acapella (i.e. without a pianist playing or a backing track) to ensure they can sing in tune unaided and to assess vocal technique and level. Unless you possess the noted training, you will find it very hard to be successful in the pre-screening process and proceed to the next stage of the audition process.

ATAR EXAMS

ATAR Music Exams include practical demonstrations of skills (i.e. a recital of several pieces that lasts for a certain duration of time) as well as a theoretical demonstration of skills (i.e. theory and music history written exam).

ATAR exams require previous knowledge and training. It is recommended that you have taken music as a subject previously during your high school career as well as one-to-one lessons for a minimum of 2 years (starting in Year 9).

Group lessons are not recommended for ATAR music exam preparation. You will not receive the one-to-one technical advice to ensure you possess the level of vocal technique required to be successful in the exam, nor will your pieces be up to the expected quality of demonstration.

A weekly one-hour private lesson is strongly recommended to ensure you possess the time and dedication to your vocal technique and repertoire to be successful. ATAR exams are a major undertaking, and they require significant work for students to be successful.

CONSERVATORY & UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE AUDITIONS

Conservatory and University Music Program Entrance Requirements vary from institution to institution. It is strongly encouraged that if you are considering auditioning for a tertiary program, you possess a minimum of 3 years' private one-to-one vocal study (4+ years is preferred) with significant focus on healthy vocal technique.

These entrance auditions require previous knowledge and training. They often include a demonstration of other musical skills, including aural musicianship and theory. It is expected that you can read music fluently and have been actively working towards tertiary auditions (AMEB/ABRSM exams, eisteddfods, specialist music programs, extension programs and so on). Many institutions require that you bring a portfolio with you to demonstrate previous musical activities. Please include previous exam results, certificates and so forth in this portfolio.

Please remember, you will be competing against students who read music fluently, practice regularly, perform regularly (including solos) and have attended additional extension programs to ensure they are ready for the rigors of such an audition.

Group lessons are not recommended for Conservatory and University Entrance Auditions. You will not receive the one-to-one technical advice to ensure you possess the level of vocal technique required to be successful in the audition, nor will your pieces be up to the expected quality of demonstration.

A weekly one-hour private lesson is strongly recommended to ensure you possess the time and dedication to your vocal technique and repertoire to be successful. Entrance exams are a major undertaking, and they require significant work for students to be successful.