Lilac

The way I read things the £50 is for admin, and they won't necessarily audition an applicant? Also they look at more photos than most of the schools that DD has applied to. Just pointe work is mentioned at the audition so an issue in DDs mind!

Yes we went to a public open day in September, had some lovely, friendly staff. Was much smaller than I realised. Not expecting anything as especially competitive to get in. DD doesn't do much pointe work, any idea how much emphasis is placed on that part of the audition?

What date are you there Karen, we are going 9th Feb. Interested to hear experiences also! Good luck for auditions this week.

We live not too far from there, but would have had reservations about this fees per term. We have topped up gaps in DDS local training through Associate schemes which work out cheaper than this. Seems to have worked for DD who has an offer from one of the colleges she wanted to go to. She joined a county youth dance company to get more contemporary training, and that works out at about £100 per term. May suit some people if sure that's what they want, and parents can afford to help them along the way.

Would you consider somewhere different such as an RAD teaching degree, or a course at Chantry? Definitely worth a conversation or two with people in the know. You deserve to find somewhere you are happy with.

That's really helpful thanks. Gives her plenty listen to! Interesting what different people come up with.

DD is needing to choreograph a dance with a space theme. Wonder if anyone knows any space themed music, or where we might find any? Really helps to have a range of ideas! Thanks.

Yes I would be interested to know as well as DD auditioning there in February!

Agree with the above. My DD is going on to do a dance degree and I think doing A level has definitely helped to prepare her. Without this she would have never done any dance theory or choreography which will be requirements next year. Also I think she's felt more involved at college than in her other subjects, she has represented them in a competition and a performance. Seems to be turning into a more academic subject involving essays which will be a challenge to her as she wasn't brilliant at English!

Well maybe early auditions are a good thing! DD heard yesterday she has a 'yes' from Laban, her first audition! She is over the moon to have a definite place so early on, just removes so much pressure. There wasn't me worrying about the date, and her not having done much contemporary or a CAT scheme...!

DD has found quite a number of applicants who are on CAT schemes at these auditions who are obviously very good. Wonder if that gives you a big advantage to be accepted, especially at the dance school where a scheme is based? Anyone auditioning at London Contemporary this week may be interested to know DD said they were told today that if you were recalled it would not necessarily be to this Fridays second audition. Personally I imagine the earlier auditions would more likely be called up to this Friday.

Will be interested to hear about your Northern experience, DD there in early Feb. Are you trying London Studio Centre as well?

Must be a quick decision about recalls for this Friday, presumably a mix of candidates from the Monday - Wednesday auditions which makes for very little notice! DD finally ready with a solo for tomorrow! Good luck for your hectic week anon_dancer 15. To you go on your own to the auditions, DD is for for tomorrow, went with a friend and mum to Laban.

Any tips or experiences of audition at London contemporary? All seems a bit vague with how at the first audition you may or may not do your solo, and may or may not have an interview. And then need to be told in a few days whether. You have round 2 on Friday? Thanks

Yes that must feel amazing. Don't think Laban could do that with the QUCAS connection!

So assume then options are yes, no or waiting list? Understand they offer places after batches of auditions so assume some will be after 7th and 8th Dec?

Gosh that's quick anondancer_15. Thanks Sarah Wondering, it it possible you could be told no or waiting list now and then be offered a place down the line? Presumably there must be a lot of movement with people who are offered multiple places having to turn some down later on? Just trying to be hopeful!

Went to the open day at Laban last month, so with work commitments am not able to accompany her. Luckily she knows someone else auditioning that day from her college, so they're planning to travel up together. LCDS didn't seem to have open days, DD managed to pick up a workshop there inhalf term so at least she has some idea what's there before auditioning. Seems a lot heavier there with two rounds of auditions, and the solo to prepare! I think DD will just go to that one on her own, especially now I know you can't go in, a lot to pay rush hour fares for that! Any idea how quickly the results came out, must be longer with Laban going through QUCAS?

Any advice about auditions at Laban and LCDS ? DD has both these auditions in the next fortnight! Laban appears to be just a group audition, whatever form that might take! Thanks

Interesting you should say that, DD was recommended to one of their pieces for A level choreography by a forum contributor last year and it worked brilliantly!

Those are interesting thoughts thanks. Such a shame about the funding aspect as LSC would probably be DDs first choice with the broader course, and in some ways one of the most hopeful with the Associate connection. Re timings, my biggest concern is that DD has one of her most crucial auditions on 12th December and for various reasons, largely other dance commitments is going to be lucky to have the 1 minute solo finished never mind polished by then! I just don't want her to throw her chances away which is why I feel we need to move it! Out of interest how much weight to people think dance colleges place on interviews, say compared with the practical part of an audition? Feel it's something else needing preparation! Thanks

They are slightly changing the courses so could be worth checking the website again.

When is your audition. DD has one on 12th December and is struggling to find time to choreograph her solo?

Hi, LSC is the least of our worries at present! DD does the Saturday Associate programme there which helps there, they moved her audition from December to February saying it was better to audition later which was lovely. Yes their finals are later so will be nearer that. She would love to train there but not sure we'd be able to afford it with the lower rate of loans, and means tested scholarships. We always just fall into the bracket where you get no assistance, but with a mortgage and a daughter at medical school do not have a lot of surplus. My biggest worry is that for both London contemporary and Laban she has ended up with December dates, and I am really not convinced she will be ready, especially with a solo. Really dread her wasting her most hopeful chances by not braving asking to move an audition!

A mixture I think. Some just do one audition so offer places in batches, some offer a place at the final audition in batches, then I suppose those results come together!