MUSIC CAPA AUDITION CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS
MUSIC
For the Semester 2 Music auditions, all students are required to submit their audition performances via video recordings. This means you will need to record yourself performing the audition piece at home or another suitable location.
Audition Criteria
- Candidates will be assessed on:
- Performance quality and technical skills, including articulation of notes with correct pitch intonation, rhythmical phrasing, dynamic control, and expressive techniques
- Appropriate standard of performance item (Grade 3–4 AMEB recommended)
- Sight reading skills, including reading notation and chord charts (for instrumental candidates)
- Confidence in delivering repertoire (for vocal candidates)
- Vocal strength, technical skill in projection, accuracy in pitch and intonation, and rhythmic accuracy (for vocal candidates)
Advice for Music Audition Video Submissions
- Prepare a performance of approximately 1–2 minutes. Two short pieces are acceptable.
- Use backing tracks where necessary to demonstrate pitch and rhythmic skills (not required for piano accompaniment).
- Ensure sound quality is clear, without background noise or echo.
- Candidates should be dressed appropriately; current school uniform is acceptable.
- The candidate’s body must be framed within the video throughout the performance.
- Instrumental candidates must show their instrument clearly. Piano performances should be filmed from the right-hand side, showing both hands clearly.
- Review the video before submitting to ensure it is suitable for audition.
- Name your file before attaching it to the application (e.g., John Smith Music Audition 2025).
Introduction Video Questions
- Introduce yourself. Tell us about your experiences as an artist, soloist, or member of an ensemble.
- What are your interests in the creative and performing arts for your chosen area?
- What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect of your chosen CAPA area?
- What are you most looking forward to, if selected as a student to attend Northmead CAPA High School?
Instrumental Criteria:
- Prepare a performance of 1-2 minutes in length approx time recommended. 2 short pieces is acceptable.
- Performance quality and technical skills including articulation of notes with correct pitch intonation, rhythmical phrasing, dynamic control and expressive techniques displayed
- Appropriate standard of performance item. Grade 3 - 4 for AMEB is recommended
- Sight reading skills, including reading notation and chord charts
Vocal Criteria:
- Prepare a performance of 1-2 minutes in length approx.
- Demonstrating confidence in delivering repertoire
- Vocal strength and technical skill in projecting
- Accuracy in pitch and intonation
- Ability to phrase or sing melodies with rhythmic accuracy and timing
FAQs and audition advice
Which instruments and styles are suitable for an audition?
Brass, Woodwind, String, Guitar, Bass, Drums/Percussion and Voice. Song choices and musical styles other than Western Music styles are not acceptable for audition. Vocalists are required to sing repertoire in English.
My child has been involved in Concert Band & Vocal Ensemble in Primary School. Is this suitable for a High School audition?
Yes, we encourage students with Band Experience, however parts from their Concert Band are not usually suitable for audition. Chosen repertoire pieces should be selected where the candidate’s part is clearly the featured soloist.
Can my child audition for multiple instruments?
It is recommended that candidates audition with their strongest instrument. You can provide details of additional instrumentation in the application.
What grade repertoire piece should be played?
This varies across a range of instruments and styles with a recommendation of Grade 4 as a guideline. Your child’s private music tutor will be best placed to recommend repertoire. The panel’s suggestions include pieces that reflect the candidate’s delivery of technical skills including pitch, rhythmic ability and timing, dynamics and expressive qualities, stylistic interpretation or understanding of musical elements, as well as confidence and preparation of the repertoire.
How long should should the audition piece be?
Prepare a performance of 1-2 minutes in length approx time recommended. 2 short pieces is acceptable
Which instruments are provided? - Live auditions
Please bring all personal instruments. A drum kit, guitar/bass amplifier and piano/keyboard are provided.
What accompaniment is required for auditions?
Backing tracks are the preferred option. Live accompanists must be arranged prior, providing details to the school in advance. Backing tracks are recommended for vocalists and for some instrumental solo arrangements and should be discussed and selected with guidance from your child’s tutor. The track should not have the candidates part, eg, singing along with the original song of a recorded performance. Piano auditions do not require accompaniment.
What to expect during the audition - Live auditions only
Candidates will be asked to sight read a short passage of music with vocalists harmonising and performing a sequence of notes given from a keyboard. The panel will ask questions regarding experiences as a performer, within ensemble groups or as a soloist. Discussion of musical interests, private tuition, as well as their interest and expectation as a potential student of Northmead CAPA High School. Please take the opportunity to ask questions during the audition about our program and opportunities. All auditions are filmed for quality and decision making purposes, and will not be shared outside of the auditioning panel.
Where do I wait during my childs audition? - Live auditions only
The audition takes about 15 - 20 minutes with parents and carers required to wait in the Reception area. Student representatives escort candidates to their audition. Candidates are to wear their school’s uniform.
When do I find out about my child’s audition result?
A response will be provided within a two week time frame (excluding holidays). Please note that no further correspondence will be entered into after this decision. Unsuccessful candidates will be provided with feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of the audition.
Please direct further correspondence in writing to Audition Registrar Mrs June Stepic
june.stepic@det.nsw.edu.au