Application forms are available on our website here from February each year.  The cut off date for receipt of applications is usually end of March. Applicants are called for audition in May (non-beginners) and in June (beginners). Late applicants may be accepted subject to availability. Please note that due to the large volume of applications, short-listing may apply.

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).

Places for instrumental and vocal lessons are offered on the basis of a successful audition.

Places for the Early Years Programme (Kid's Club and Pre-Instrumental classes) are offered on a 'first-come, first-served’ basis – apply early to avoid disappointment. 

Auditions for applicants received by the 1st April take place in May. Applicants will receive an email indicating the precise date and time of the audition. Please note that there is no audition fee.  Auditions for late applicants take place in June, subject to availability of places.

Auditions for Beginner Piano take place in 2 stages:

Audition/Trial mini-lesson:  Candidates are invited to take an audition where they may be asked to sing a song and are usually given a short trial lesson.  (If they can play another instrument, the candidate should play one piece on this instrument.) 

Selected students then progress to the next stage - a musical aptitude test.  The test is usually administered in groups of 10–15.  The test is designed for use by small children and involves listening to a recording and responding by circling pictures on a page – it tests rhythmic and pitch response.  A trial run is given before the test begins.  The result of the audition is added to the result of the aptitude test and those scoring highest are offered places.

Non-beginner keyboard applicants for both the Junior Conservatoire and Continuing Education division are expected to perform two contrasting pieces appropriate to their standard, and take sight-reading and aural tests.  They may be asked to perform scales appropriate to their level.  A short, informal interview also takes place at the audition.  Continuing Education students are expected to have performance experience and a minimum standard of Grade 7 or equivalent. Preference will be given to the most advanced students.

Note: All keyboard students are expected to have daily access to an acoustic piano – a digital or electronic instrument is not acceptable.  Offer of places is subject to candidates obtaining a suitable instrument.

For vocal auditions, students perform two contrasting songs, followed by aural tests, scales and a short, informal interview. A mini-lesson may be included after the scales

Keyboard Department, Beginners

Auditions for beginners take place in 2 stages.  Audition/Trial mini-­lesson:  Applicants are invited to take an audition where they may be asked to sing a song, take some simple aural tests and may be given a short trial lesson.  (Applicants who can play another instrument should play one piece on that instrument.)

Applicants are also required to take a musical aptitude test.  The test is usually administered in groups of 10–­15.  It is designed for use by small children and involves listening to a recording and responding by circling pictures on a page to test rhythmic and pitch response.  A trial run is given before the test begins.  The result of the audition is added to the result of the aptitude test and those scoring highest are offered places.

Keyboard Department, Non-­beginners

Non-­beginners for both the Junior Conservatory and Continuing Education (over-­18) division are expected to perform two contrasting pieces appropriate to their standard, and take sight-­reading and aural tests.  They may be asked to perform scales appropriate to their level.  A short, informal interview also takes place at the audition.  Continuing Education students are expected to have appropriate performance experience. The following criteria are also applied.

Age 10-11 – should have passed grade 2-3 or equivalent

Age 12-13 – should have passed grade 3-4 or equivalent

Age 14-15 – should have passed grade 5 or equivalent

Age 16-17 – should have passed grade 6-7 or equivalent

Orchestral Department, Beginners

Beginners should be prepared to sing a song, take some simple aural tests and may be given a short trial lesson.  If the applicant can play another instrument, they should prepare one piece on that instrument.

Orchestral Department, Non-­beginners

Applicants under 18 who have already received tuition on their instrument are welcome to apply to the Junior Conservatory.  The Continuing Education division caters for experienced students aged 18 and over.  Applicants are asked to perform two contrasting pieces appropriate to their standard, and take sight-­reading and aural tests.  They may be asked to perform scales appropriate to their level.  A short, informal interview also takes place at the audition.

Vocal Department

Applicants should have some choral, solo classical or music theatre experience. A piano accompanist will be present at the audition and applicants are asked to perform two contrasting songs, providing sheet music for the pianist so that collaboration with another musician can be assessed. However, a backing track may be used where sheet music is not available in the appropriate key. Aural tests will be given, suited to the applicant’s level, and singers may be asked to sing scales and exercises. A mini-lesson may precede the short, informal interview at the end of the audition.

You will receive an email informing you of the result of the audition.  There are three possibilities: an offer of a place, placement on the waiting list, or not being offered a place.

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