Music Education (Classroom)

The General Teaching Council for Scotland sets the minimum entry requirements with regard to the qualifications in English and Maths and may change these requirements. Normally several years’ notice is given impending any changes.

It is the responsibility of the applicants to be aware of the current minimum requirements. We offer a flexible approach to students taking Higher over more than one academic year and/or who achieve their qualifications in more than one sitting.

More information about the GTCS entry requirements, including accepted alternatives to the Maths and English requirements, can be found in the GTCS Memorandum on Entry Requirements.

Music requirements
Successful applicants will normally be of a standard equivalent to Grade 7 or Grade 8 of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in their Principal Study. You can apply and audition without having obtained either of these ABRSM qualifications.

In addition, it is expected that applicants will have experience of playing piano. For the audition, you will be asked to prepare a short piano piece and a keyboard harmony exercise that will be sent in advance.

Audition

At your Principal Study audition, you will be required to: * Play two contrasting pieces of your own choice on your chosen Performance Study. *Please note, if you are applying for Timpani and Percusion or Jazz, please see the set audition requirements listed on our website under the 'how to apply' section. * Sing one song of your own choice to demonstrate the stage of development of your vocal skills. If your Performance Study is Voice, this requirement will not apply At your Principal Study audition, in addition to you playing your pieces, the panel will spend a little time working with you on sections of your pieces to fully gauge your potential and suitability for the Programme.

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Interview

During the interview, you will be expected to display a good general knowledge of and interest in music and a keen commitment to teaching. You should be able to demonstrate an awareness of recent curricular initiatives and how these might impact music education in Scotland. During the interview, you will be asked to express your views on music education and describe and reflect upon your own experiences of learning and teaching. The interview will be conducted informally, and you will be assessed on your: Ability to express yourself clearly and fluently Perceived commitment to and enthusiasm for teaching Level of preparation and reflection The following questions are provided only as a guide. The actual questions you are asked may differ from the ones given here.  Why have you decided to apply to the BEd (Music) programme (why do you want to be a teacher)? What personal qualities and/or experiences do you have which you think would make you a good teacher? What recent changes in Scottish education are you aware of and can you tell us what you know? Do you have any experience with Music Technology? If so, what software or hardware have you used? Apart from piano and your first-study instrument, what other instruments have you learned to play (including classroom instruments e.g. guitar/ukulele, bass, drum kit, tuned percussion, etc)? What aspects of music do you enjoy? Are there any particular skills which you feel you need to develop? Panel members may also ask you questions about your personal statement.

Other

Around three weeks before your audition, you will be sent a selection of piano and keyboard harmony pieces. You should prepare one piano piece and one keyboard harmony piece. At the Piano Audition, you will take part in a group class where an RCS tutor will work with you on your prepared pieces. This will allow us to gauge your potential on piano and your suitability for the programme. Example piano pieces and keyboard harmony pieces can be found at the weblinks on our website.