• Course Dates
    October 31, 2025 6:30 pm –
    November 2, 2025 4:00 pm
  • Observer Pass
    November 1, 2025
    11:00 am - 1:00 pm

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Level: All
Fee: £395

Audition Preparation

with Audrey Hyland & Saffron van Zwanenberg

Are you a singer preparing for an important audition for Music College or University, maybe a recital, exam or performance? Even if there is not a fixed event on the horizon, perhaps you want to increase your confidence in your presentation overall.

Give yourself the best possible chance of performing the way you want to on the day! Spend the weekend honing your pieces with Saffron and Audrey, both experienced at sitting on adjudication panels, and helping people prepare for auditions through their varied professional commitments.

Over the weekend you will spend some time working as a group on tangible performance skills which you can employ in any setting.
You will work with Saffron and Audrey individually focusing in more on a variety of component areas such as the music and text, storytelling and character development.

There are also sessions where both tutors work together and we all learn from each other, as well as some time available for individual practice and warming up.

The course includes a mock audition at the end of the weekend with just the course leaders, followed by a private feedback discussion. If you would like to provide your CV for this session then they will also give some feedback on this.

We asked our tutors some questions about the course and their teaching, here are Audrey and Saffron’s answers:

Audrey:
  • WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU WANT PARTICIPANTS TO GET OUT OF THIS COURSE?
  1. Study process which integrates music, language and communication.
  2. Deeper understanding and ownership of music and text.
  3. Remembering the joy rather than fear of performing/auditioning.
  • WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE?

“Holistic and fun!”

  • DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR PURSUITS THAT ARE NOT TO DO WITH MUSIC?

“Exploring new countries and cultures.”

Saffron:
  • WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU WANT PARTICIPANTS TO GET OUT OF THIS COURSE?
  1. Some tangible tools that they can easily call on in any performance setting.
  2. Deeper knowledge of their pieces and development of specific elements e.g. the storytelling or the character.
  3. Increased confidence in their overall presentation of a piece.
  • WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE?

“My teaching style is inclusive and based on identifying skills that can be used independently.”

  • DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR PURSUITS THAT ARE NOT TO DO WITH MUSIC?

“Probably yoga!”

 

We asked our course leaders to answer a few questions about their course and teaching:

Audrey:

  1. Study process which integrates music, language and communication.
  2. Deeper understanding and ownership of music and text.
  3. Remembering the joy rather than fear of performing/auditioning.

“Holistic and fun!”

“Exploring new countries and cultures.”

Saffron:

  1. Some tangible tools that they can easily call on in any performance setting.
  2. Deeper knowledge of their pieces and development of specific elements e.g. the storytelling or the character.
  3. Increased confidence in their overall presentation of a piece.

“My teaching style is inclusive and based on identifying skills that can be used independently.”

Some course feedback:

There’s something about being in the country (outside London) which makes you focus completely on your music with no distraction.

Saffron and Audrey are an amazing team as well as experts in their field!

They created a safe environment for experimenting with our singing.

Read more about what participants say about Jackdaws Courses.

A £100 deposit is required to secure your place on this course. The balance of fees, including accommodation, is due 3 weeks before the course start date.

You can also buy an Observer Pass for this course. The Observer Pass entitles you to attend on SATURDAY from 11am–1pm as an observer only and costs £10. This can be redeemed against a subsequent course booking. Places are limited. More info and terms and conditions here.

Details Price Qty
Attendee - Deposit £100.00 GBP  
Observer Pass £10.00 GBP  

Venue:  

Venue Phone: 01373 812383

Address:
Jackdaws Music Education Trust, Great Elm, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3NY, United Kingdom

Description:

Course Information

Is this Course right for me?

The answer is probably yes as we welcome musicians of all abilities and backgrounds on our courses but if you would like to find out more before you book please read about our course levels, or email or call our office manager Karolyn on 01373 812 383 / music@jackdaws.org and she will be able to offer further guidance.

If you are still unsure then maybe consider one of our “Try before you buy” Observer Passes which enable you to come and see one session in action.

Full Observer places may also be bookable for a whole weekend subject to availability. Call / email the office for more information.

Please see our General Course Information pages for further details and schedule information.

Our Courses are for adult musicians (except where stated) and take place at Jackdaws in Great Elm, near Frome in Somerset. The Course Fee includes all tuition, meals and refreshments at Jackdaws. Courses take place in the main studio, with Steinway piano, and generally follow a masterclass format. There are several practice rooms here, too.

Repertoire

For Voice, Piano & Wind courses; participants are usually requested to prepare 2 – 3 pieces in advance. We will ask you to provide a repertoire list for the tutor (& accompanist) ahead of the course.

For Ensemble courses; direction will be given by the course leaders.

Accommodation

If you require B&B, we can arrange that for you; accommodation fees are payable in addition to the course fee.

Meals and Refreshments

Lunch, Supper and morning/afternoon refreshments will be prepared on site by our dedicated Cooks.  If you are vegetarian/vegan, or have a food allergy, you must let us know in advance, so that our cooks can plan the meals for the weekend accordingly. We are ‘allergy aware’, but we rely on participants letting us know if they have specific food allergies. Please also let us know if you carry any emergency medication.

By booking onto a Jackdaws course you agree to abide by our Terms and Conditions and understand the Privacy Policy regarding our handling of your data.