Audition Preparation for Advanced Classical Singers

Ages 21+

Course Dates & Times

Friday 18 – Sunday 20 July 2025

Fri 18 July: 6pm–9pm 
Sat 19 – Sun 20 July: 9am–5pm

About Audition Preparation for Advanced Classical Singers

This three-day course, led by senior staff from the Vocal Studies department, will offer advanced singers who are thinking of studying at a postgraduate level, general audition preparation for conservatoire and beyond.
With a joint focus on class teaching and extensive one-to-one tuition, course topics will include singing in different languages, communicating text into song, body awareness and performance skills. You will also work towards a mock audition at the end of the course and will receive comprehensive feedback.

Who is the course for?

Advanced singers aged 21 and over who are thinking of advanced level study and seriously considering a pathway to postgraduate courses, including opera courses, also advanced students who would like to optimise their auditioning skills.

What can I expect?

• How to prepare for auditions
• One-to-one tuition and individual coaching with members of Guildhall's Vocal Studies faculty
• Breathing and body awareness
• Interpretation and performance presentation
• Drama workshop
• Repertoire masterclass to prepare you for performance
• Text into song work
• Advice on appropriate repertoire

Please note that this course is for general audition preparation.

Do I need anything for the course?

You should prepare four contrasting pieces in different languages and styles to include:

• One opera aria
• One Baroque oratorio aria
• One French mélodie or Lied
• One English song. This can also include settings by American composers.
• You should also prepare by heart a short poem or piece of prose in the English language.

Please note that all repertoire should be from memory.

How to Apply

Please click the "Apply now" button and fill out the application form. To demonstrate your singing ability, you will be required to upload a video recording* of two pieces that are Grade 6 standard or above to our Dropbox (link in the application form). Applications will be reviewed by the lead course tutors and all applicants will be contacted by email once their application has been reviewed. Successful applicants will be sent a booking link to confirm their place.

*Please note that applications will not be sent for the tutors' consideration unless there is an accompanying video recording.

Course Fee

£395

Eligibility

• For advanced classical singers aged 21+ interested in advanced level study and considering applying to postgraduate studies
• Participants must have sufficient English language skills to cope with course demands.

About the Course Tutors

This course is taught by Marilyn Rees and Theresa Goble from Guildhall School's Vocal Studies Department.

Marilyn Rees has worked extensively in recital and oratorio, given many broadcasts for radio and television and toured Japan, USA and Europe. Roles have included Susanna, Queen of the Night, Zerbinetta, Poppea and much of the Bel Canto repertoire. A singer with the Bayreuther Festspiele for over ten years and with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Marilyn's holistic approach provides firm technical grounding for young singers and continued refinement for established artists.

Theresa Goble, mezzo soprano, was born in Portsmouth, and studied at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and at the National Opera Studio with scholarships from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and Scottish Opera, where she was a company member for four years. She has appeared as a soloist with major opera companies in the United Kingdom including English National Opera, Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park. She has performed extensively in Europe and the U.S.A . Roles include Dalila (Samson et Dalila), Ulrica (Un Ballo in Maschera), Amneris (Aida), Carmen and Kundry (Parsifal).

Regarded for her holistic approach, Theresa’s own insights as performer and teacher draw on traditional Bel Canto technique as well as educational kinesiology, brain gym and inner game principles. Her interest in how students learn, led her to conduct a research project to assess the effectiveness of the use of educational kinesiology in assisting the learning of developing musicians during conservatoire study.