Before you complete the Application Form, we recommend that you read About Us on our home page and find out ‘How We Work’. We also suggest that you have a general look at the website so that you have a good sense of what we do before you come for audition.
We are auditioning for new pupils in November and December 2025 and January 2026. We take children and young people aged 6 – 18. Children must be 6 by 31/8/25 to be considered for this round of auditions. There will be more in six months, so you won’t have to wait long for your child to become eligible if they are too young this year. The sooner you apply the sooner you will get your audition. If the audition is successful, your child will start in the Spring Term. There is no deadline for your application but if you leave it too late, we will not be able to see you in this round; we will then hold your details and see your child later in 2026. You are strongly advised to apply now – demand is high.
Once we’ve received your application we will send you an invitation to an audition. These are likely to be on a Saturday (Islington) or Sunday (Southwark) in November, December or January in the morning or late afternoon. The precise time will be in your invitation. Auditions for MCL Islington will be at Canonbury Primary School and for MCL Southwark at Charles Dickens Primary School.
The auditions are short, informal and friendly. Most last no longer than five minutes. We need to know how well your child can sing a melody and hold a rhythm, so we ask that they come ready to sing a short unaccompanied song. This can be anything from a nursery rhyme for the very youngest to a favourite school song or pop song. There will also be some simple copying games to help us get to know your child’s voice. It’s fun and not at all intimidating.
Not all children and young people will be offered a place. Young voices develop at different rates; some children pitch well at an early age and for others a sense of pitch develops much later. The child needs to be ready to join us, then they will be able to make the most of what we offer and really enjoy their time with us. Many children apply again when they’re older and we take them then. We will let you know the result of the audition within a week via email.