Details of the repertoire requested for your in-person audition submission can be found below.
- Performance of a programme of approximately 15 minutes on the principal study. The programme should demonstrate your present level of achievement and your musical potential, and must normally be performed from memory and unaccompanied, with the exception of guitar, piano or percussion instruments (see below), or in cases of self-accompanying for one or two items (e.g. clarsach player accompanying own singing, or singers accompanying themselves on another instrument). If in doubt, please contact us ahead of time. Applicants are asked to give brief spoken introductions to each item performed. Suggested repertoire is detailed below.
Highland Bagpipe
Three contrasting sets: A) March, Strathspey and Reel; B) one Piobaireachd (ground and 1st variation only); and C) a final set of the applicant’s own choosing.
Accordion/Bodhran/Cello/Fiddle/Flute/Guitar/Mondolin/
Piano/Scottish Harp/Whistle
A varied programme of contrasting work featuring the applicant’s own choice of traditional Scottish (or other) tunes: air, march, strathspey, reel, jig, hornpipe and self-accompaniment to singing if appropriate. For guitar, the programme should include both solo work and rhythmic accompaniment to traditional/contemporary tunes (it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide an accompanist or backing track).
Pipe Band Snare Drum
A variety of traditional and current pipe band pieces contrasting in rhythm and tempi, which should include an extract of a solo fanfare. It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange for a piper to provide accompaniment.
Scots Song
Varied programme of contrasting moods and tempi: featuring the broad range of traditional Scots song, eg classic ballad, bothy ballad, Burns or other ‘art’ song, lullaby, contemporary Scots song, nonsense, bawdy or children’s song, dance song or diddling. Good source material for the repertoire appropriate to this programme can be found and studied in depth at www.tobarandualchais.co.uk.
Gaelic Song
Varied programme of traditional songs contrasting in character and rhythm: puirt a beul, òrain luaidh, òrain bàsaidh, òran mór, contemporary Gaelic song, lullaby, lament. Good source material for the repertoire appropriate to this programme can be found and studied in depth at www.tobarandualchais.co.uk.
Drumkit/Bodhran
A varied programme demonstrating accompaniment to a variety of standard Scottish traditional/folk dance-based melodic rhythms (quicksteps, strathspeys, reels, jigs, hornpipes, etc) and the applicant’s facility with transitions between rhythms/tempi.