Auditions
Candidates for a place at The Purcell School must first complete an Application Form - please see How to apply for details.
On receipt of an application, we may recommend that a candidate should take a Preliminary Audition. This is similar to the Main Audition (see below), but the candidiate plays to the appropriate Head of Department only. It is less pressurised than a Main Audition and can help to settle nerves.
Auditions are held throughout the school year, generally on Thursdays. For a Main Audition, the candidate will be asked to play two pieces on their first instrument, one piece on their second instrument (if relevant). Sight-reading and aural tests will also be set. The candidate will be interviewed by the Director of Music and the relevant Head of Department, and will sit a Theory of Music paper. For the purposes of standardisation, some auditions may be recorded.
To assess their academic ability, candidates will sit a 45 minute Reasoning Test in English and be interviewed by the Director of Studies or another member of staff. Candidates for whom English is not their first language may be assessed by the Head of EFL.
On the day of the audition, candidates and their parents will be given a tour of the school, which for boarders will include a visit to a boarding house, and will meet with the Headmaster or his Deputy. Parents will also have the opportunity to discuss their financial needs with the Bursar.
If you have any further queries about our auditions please contact:
Karen Gumustekin - Registrar and Music Department Secretary
k.gumustekin@purcell-school.org
Tel. 01923 331107
Fax. 01923 331166
On receipt of an application, we may recommend that a candidate should take a Preliminary Audition. This is similar to the Main Audition (see below), but the candidiate plays to the appropriate Head of Department only. It is less pressurised than a Main Audition and can help to settle nerves.
Auditions are held throughout the school year, generally on Thursdays. For a Main Audition, the candidate will be asked to play two pieces on their first instrument, one piece on their second instrument (if relevant). Sight-reading and aural tests will also be set. The candidate will be interviewed by the Director of Music and the relevant Head of Department, and will sit a Theory of Music paper. For the purposes of standardisation, some auditions may be recorded.
To assess their academic ability, candidates will sit a 45 minute Reasoning Test in English and be interviewed by the Director of Studies or another member of staff. Candidates for whom English is not their first language may be assessed by the Head of EFL.
On the day of the audition, candidates and their parents will be given a tour of the school, which for boarders will include a visit to a boarding house, and will meet with the Headmaster or his Deputy. Parents will also have the opportunity to discuss their financial needs with the Bursar.
If you have any further queries about our auditions please contact:
Karen Gumustekin - Registrar and Music Department Secretary
k.gumustekin@purcell-school.org
Tel. 01923 331107
Fax. 01923 331166
