The interview and audition is the last step in the application process for a master’s programme in music therapy. I had interviews with the SRH University Heidelberg and the University of Limerick in January and February of 2024. In this article, I want to share my experience, so you can get a better idea of what to expect and how to prepare.
Journey To Music Therapy is dedicated to sharing comprehensive information on music therapy training, while also taking the opportunity to reflect on my personal experiences of becoming a music therapist. I hope this blog inspires you to explore the possibilities of music therapy, guiding you in finding the right path for you.
Interview and Audition
The interview and audition are usually two parts of the same meeting. While the interview aims to test your personal aptitude to become a therapist, the audition targets your musical skills. For simplicity’s sake, I will refer to both parts as “interview” hereafter. It can take place in person or online, lasting 30-90 minutes (online) or the whole day (in person). Since my interviews were held online, I will give insights into this kind of procedure.
SRH University Heidelberg
The interview was conducted by one music therapy professor. What struck me as odd was that the professor asked me at the beginning of the interview if I wanted to talk in English or German. I was perplexed because I wanted to be treated as any other student applying for the international master’s degree. How else could they ensure that I meet the language requirement? An English test was not necessary, as the professor determined that my English is proficient based on the interview.
The interview topics addressed my motivation for studying music therapy, my strengths and weaknesses, my biography, and my experiences and knowledge connected to music therapy. A detailed outline for the interview was given in the invitation e-mail which assisted my preparation.
For the audition, I was asked to perform one prepared song. I chose one of my favourite covers, “Not About Angels”. Despite having tested the technology with my mum, there were technical difficulties. The piano did not get through. At the request of the professor, I sang the song a cappella. The next part was distinct compared to the other interview (and as far as I know other interviews in the UK): It consisted of copying vocal melodies, inventing responses to vocal melodies, and answering music theory questions (notation, intervals, circle of fifths). Lastly, there was room for questions, and I asked about placements and the opportunity to engage in research projects by the university.
I appreciated that there was direct feedback at the end of the interview. The professor could tell me right away that I was accepted which felt good.
University of Limerick
Two music therapy professors were involved in the interview. This made a professional impression on me.
Topics covered in the interview were: motivation, strengths and weaknesses, and experiences and knowledge connected to music therapy. Additionally, I was asked which unique qualities I bring to the course and my expectations regarding the course. I thought that these questions were insightful, as they highlighted the fit between course and student and emphasised the choice of the student. There was also room for questions. I only became aware of the blended in person/online delivery through the interview which was my main reason against the course.
In the invitation to the audition, I was prompted to prepare four songs: one singing and accompanying on the piano, one singing and accompanying on the guitar, and two contrasting pieces on the major instrument. I was asked to play two songs out of those. Moreover, improvising to a theme given in the interview and improvising a children’s song were part of the audition. While I felt confident performing the prepared vocal pieces, the improvisations proved a challenge. The children’s song I was given was “Twinkle, Twinkle”. I found it so difficult to find the chords that I asked for a few seconds to practice which were granted. Even then, I played many wrong notes, but it was still a good interview overall.
The offer and feedback arrived within five days. I especially appreciate that I was given constructive feedback of what I could improve until the start of the term.
University of Derby
Although I did not interview for the University of Derby in the end, I want to briefly share my experience with our correspondence. I had an interview date in February 2024, three weeks before my decision deadline for the SRH University Heidelberg. Unlike the other two interviews, this one was in the late afternoon. However, at 2 pm I was alarmed to discover that I had not been sent a meeting link, although this should have happened five days prior. I called the University and they said they would inform the appropriate person. Finally, forty minutes before the supposed meeting, I received an e-mail that the interview was cancelled “due to staffing issues”. To my frustration, the alternative interview date I was offered was only three weeks later, although I had been in contact saying that my decision deadline from another university was approaching. I had wanted to make my decision after all interviews, but this delay pushed me to make a decision before the interview with Derby.
Pep Talk
Know that even though you take every considerable precaution, there might be unexpected situations in the interview. For example, there might be a problem with the technology, or you might be asked an unexpected question. Although this might throw you momentarily off balance, I hope that you can trust your instinct and your skills.
As music therapists, we don’t need to be perfect musicians. It is normal to make mistakes. Mistakes don’t mean that your evaluation will be worse or that you will fail the interview. It’s more important how you deal with them. Try to keep calm and find back into your piece. Don’t be afraid to ask for support.
You can do it!
Continue The Journey
I hope my article could give you an idea of what to expect during the interview and audition for a music therapy master’s course. Let me know if you have any questions and, as always, feel free to comment any topic suggestions for the future. The next few articles are going to cover my music therapy study exchange in Canada.