reference for ucas application

I’m applying at conservatoires but don’t have anyone who I could ask that knows about my musical ability. What should I do?

Are you a self-taught musician, then?

pretty much, I had guitar lessons from the age of 6-8 and played in ensembles when I was younger but I've taught myself since then.

Do you attend school or college? Could a music teacher there assess your musical ability and write a reference on that basis?

unfortunately no as I didn’t do music at A level, depsite wanting to I opted for other courses which I regret. I do know someone who has seen me play who has a degree in music but I don’t know if I could ask him as he hasn’t tutored me or anything

I’m applying at conservatoires but don’t have anyone who I could ask that knows about my musical ability. What should I do?

Despite you not doing music at A level, are there any music teachers there? If so, would they be willing to assess you musical ability?

Hi,

As others have said, would there be a music teacher in your school who would be willing to assess your musical skills and then write a reference? Have you ever had music lessons? If so ask that teacher to write the reference as I know, through my brother applying to conservatoires last year, that past music teachers are also acceptable.

I hope this is of some assistance and I wish you the best of luck with your application,

Mary
London South Bank University Student Rep (3rd-year Children's Nursing)

Hi,
As others have said, would there be a music teacher in your school who would be willing to assess your musical skills and then write a reference? Have you ever had music lessons? If so ask that teacher to write the reference as I know, through my brother applying to conservatoires last year, that past music teachers are also acceptable.
I hope this is of some assistance and I wish you the best of luck with your application,
Mary
London South Bank University Student Rep (3rd-year Children's Nursing)

Hi, just wanted to check, I did Music for my GCSEs but not for A Levels. Can I get my GCSE music teacher to write my academic reference? It seems that most people ask their 6th form teachers instead.

Generally speaking, people don't ask a named teacher to provide their reference. Instead they ask their school to do so. That way, the reference can be a collaborative effort, drawing on the input from a variety of subject teachers, the head of sixth form, your form tutor, etc.
Remember that whoever writes you reference will need to talk about your ability across all the subjects you're doing, and will need to provide predicted grades for each of those subjects. Is your GCSE Music teacher going to be in a position to do that?

Hi and thanks for your reply!

I am an international student from Singapore and my school isn't really a UCAS centre, so I'm applying as an individual and am not sure about the collaborative effort thing, but I'll make sure to check! Also, we've received our A level grades

I took O level (GCSE) Higher Music at another school every week from Year 1 to 4, so I guess that teacher won't be able to really provide much insight about how I'm doing across the subjects. However, it feels a little weird to ask my A level Physics, Mathematics or Economics teachers to provide a reference regarding music, as I'm applying via UCAS Conservatoires 😭 It also says on UCAS Conservatoire that the Academic Referee must provide info on "suitability for advanced training for a career in music, dance, drama or musical theatre" What do you suggest?

Thanks again

The fact that you already have your grades, and that you're at a non-UK school which may not be familiar with the UCAS process, makes things a little different. In that situation, I think it'd be fine to ask your GCSE Music teacher.
As they may not be familiar with what should be included, it'd be worth pointing them in the direction of some guidance. This page on the UCAS site would be a good place to start.