FAQs

We recommend children aged 3-5yrs apply to our Early Years Music programme 

Children aged 5-8 can apply for the following instruments

Harp
J Horn (Junior Brass)
Piano
Recorder (small group)
Viola
Violin
Violoncello

Bassoon
Classical Guitar
Classical Vocal Studies
Clarinet
Cornet
Double Bass
Euphonium
Flute
French Horn
Harp
Harpsichord
Jazz Guitar
Jazz Improvisation
Leaving Cert Music (one year only)
Musicianship Only
Oboe
Organ
Percussion
Piano (over 18 grade 7 minimum)
Piano Under 18
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Viola
Violin
Violoncello

The application form can be accessed on our website from the end of January each year. The deadline for applications for May auditions is March 31st. Successful applicants will be invited to audition in May if they are non-beginners, or in June if they are beginners. Late applicants may be considered based on availability. Please note that due to the high volume of applications, short-listing may be applied.

In the Junior Conservatoire we take applications from 5* to 18 year olds.  Beginners must be aged under 8.  Very young applicants who are not ready to study piano are usually encouraged to apply for places in the Kids Club or Pre-Instrumental Classes. (*Applicants who are aged 5 but would reach the age of 6 by September are usually shortlisted for piano audition.)

The Continuing Education division accepts applications from non-beginners aged 18 and over.  Preference is given to more advanced candidates and performance experience is essential (Grade 7 minimum).

Do I need to attend an audition? 

Yes, instrumental and vocal lesson placements are based on a successful audition. 
For the Early Years Programme (Kid's Club and Pre-Instrumental classes), places are offered on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. Apply early to secure your spot. 

 When are auditions? 

• Auditions for applicants received by April 1st are held in May. You will receive an email with the audition details. 

• Auditions for late applicants (after April 1st) are in June, subject to availability. 

What happens at the audition? 

Beginner Piano Auditions: 

• Trial Mini-Lesson: Applicants may sing a song and receive a short trial lesson. If they play another instrument, they should perform one piece. 
• Musical Aptitude Test: Conducted in groups of 10–15, this test evaluates rhythmic and pitch responses through a picture-based listening exercise. 

Non-Beginner Keyboard Auditions: 
Applicants perform two contrasting pieces, take sight-reading and aural tests, and may perform scales. A short informal interview follows. Continuing Education students must have Grade 7 or equivalent experience. 

Vocal Auditions: 
Perform two contrasting songs, followed by aural tests and scales. A mini-lesson and informal interview may follow. 

What are the audition requirements? 

Keyboard, Beginners: 

• Trial Mini-Lesson: Applicants may sing a song, take simple aural tests, and have a short trial lesson. 
• Musical Aptitude Test: Designed for young children, this test assesses rhythmic and pitch response through listening exercises. 

Keyboard, Non-Beginners: 
Perform two contrasting pieces, sight-reading and aural tests, and scales. 
Continuing Education students must have appropriate performance experience and meet the following age/grade requirements: 

Ages 10-11: Grade 2-3 

Ages 12-13: Grade 3-4 

Ages 14-15: Grade 5 

Ages 16-17: Grade 6-7 

Orchestral Department, Beginners: 
Be prepared to sing a song, take aural tests, and possibly have a short trial lesson. If you play another instrument, perform one piece. 

Orchestral Department, Non-Beginners: 
Perform two contrasting pieces, take sight-reading and aural tests, and may perform scales. A short informal interview follows. 

Vocal Department: 
Perform two contrasting songs with sheet music for the accompanist (or a backing track if sheet music isn't available in the right key). Aural tests, scales, and a mini lesson may also be included. 

What happens after the audition? 
You will receive an email with the result: an offer of a place, placement on the waiting list, or no offer. 

This means you have passed the audition, but that an offer cannot be made until a place becomes available in your chosen instrument/voice.  Offers to candidates on the waiting list are generally made around the middle of September and continue to made until all vacant places are filled, usually in early October.  Please note that the waiting list status is only relevant for the upcoming academic year and if you do not receive a place you must re-­audition to be considered for a place in the following year.

Pre-­Junior, Junior and Continuing Education classes take place from September until June and are held on weekday afternoons and evenings, and on Saturdays.

Vocal classes take place on weekday mornings and afternoons, with limited availability in the evening.

All Conservatoire Junior and Continuing Education students must attend a musicianship class to support teaching and learning in the instrumental/vocal lesson.  More information on musicianship can be found here

Students studying an orchestral instrument or voice attend a weekly ensemble rehearsal.

An invitation to register will be emailed to you with details on how to register and pay fees online at Registration Services for Part-time Music Students

You may request to study with a particular teacher.  We will try to accommodate your request but cannot guarantee to do so.  All our teachers are highly qualified and experienced.

No.  Once you accept a place at the Conservatoire, you must discontinue lessons with any existing teacher.  This is based on best practice and ensures that the student can focus exclusively on the Conservatoire curriculum.

Great care is taken to place students with teachers, and it is important for the sake of continuity in their musical education that students should not change teacher unless absolutely necessary. Before considering transferring to another teacher, please discuss your child’s progress with her/his teacher in the first instance and then (if necessary) with the relevant Head of Department. If you then decide that it would be best to change from one instrumental/vocal teacher to another, please apply for a transfer by writing to the relevant Head of Department, before 1 April each year. Transfer applications are considered on a case by case basis, following successful re audition and taking account of staff availability. Please note that students must re-apply online in the normal manner in order to be re-auditioned, and that the result of the re -audition has a direct impact on the transfer process. If a transfer is recommended by the instrumental/vocal teacher, the same process of re-application and re-audition applies.

Students who wish to commence organ studies must have passed Grade 5 piano.  Harpsichord students are expected to have passed Grade 8 piano.  

If you wish to apply for an Exemption from Musicianship please complete the Exemption Request Form. 

Exemption requests are reviewed by the Musicianship Co-Ordinator on a case to case basis and approved for one year only and if deemed appropriate (for example where musicianship is being taken elsewhere, where musicianship is complete, where students are undertaking the 1 year Leaving Certificate course)

You can access your student email account by visiting www.office.com

Further information can be found here -  https://www.tudublin.ie/connect/it-services/student-it-services/city-centre/

Yes.  As this is a specialist music school, the exam system is taken very seriously. Students are also encouraged to participate in competitions and public performances. The Conservatoire runs regular concerts, both formal and informal, where students have an opportunity to perform.  All students are expected to practice their instrument daily in order to be able to gain maximum benefit from their studies at the Conservatoire. 

Get in touch with us at conservatoire@tudublin.ie.   

For part-time students in the Conservatoire student cards are only issued by request to registered students over 16. On completion of registration, upload your profile photo for your student card here

For collection, please contact a Student Service Centre, Tel: +353 1 220 6003  Email: studentservices.city@tudublin.ie

Click here to view Junior & Continuing Education Music Programme - Terms & Conditions