School Guide
Perth Modern School Music Audition — What to Expect & How to Prepare
Perth Modern School's Music GATE stream is one of the most sought-after music programs in WA. Entry requires both a competitive ASET score and a separate music audition. This guide covers every audition component, a 12-month preparation timeline, and what the examiners are looking for.
5
Audition components
240+
Est. ASET TSS needed
~30
Music places per year
Important: The Music stream requires BOTH the ASET and a music audition. Neither alone is sufficient. Start preparing for both in parallel — ASET preparation and music practice are not in competition for your child's time if planned correctly.
What is the Perth Modern Music GATE Stream?
Perth Modern School's Music program is one of the flagship specialist programs at WA's most selective school. Students in the Music stream complete the same rigorous academic curriculum as Academic GATE students, and additionally receive specialist music tuition, participate in orchestras and ensembles, and undertake advanced music theory and performance study.
Approximately 30 students per year enter via the Music stream. Entry is highly competitive — students must meet a minimum ASET TSS threshold (estimated around 240+) and pass the audition. There is no "music-only" entry path.
The 5 Audition Components
The audition assesses a combination of developed musical skills and natural musical aptitude. Students who have had quality tuition and practise deliberately across all five areas are best prepared.
Pitch Accuracy
The examiner plays or sings a note and the student reproduces it. May progress to short melodic phrases of 3–5 notes. Tests intonation and the ability to match pitch accurately.
Rhythmic Ability
The student claps or taps back a rhythmic pattern after hearing it. Patterns increase in complexity. Tests pulse accuracy, subdivision, and rhythmic memory.
Sight-Reading / Sight-Singing
A short passage is placed in front of the student to perform with minimal preparation time. Tests the ability to translate notation into sound in real time.
Performance Piece
Students perform a prepared piece on their primary instrument (or voice). The examiner assesses tone quality, technical control, musical expression, and stage presence.
Musical Interview
A short conversation about the student's musical background, influences, and goals. Also tests general musical knowledge (instrument families, dynamics, tempo markings).
12-Month Preparation Timeline
Students who succeed at the Perth Modern music audition typically have 3–5 years of instrument experience. But the final 12 months of focused preparation make the decisive difference.
12+ months before
Establish solid technical foundations
Weekly lessons with a qualified teacher. Learn to read music if you cannot already. Build pitch accuracy and rhythmic exercises into every practice session.
6 months before
Start sight-reading practice daily
Introduce one new sight-reading passage each day. Work through a graded sight-reading book systematically. Aim for Grade 3–4 AMEB sight-reading level by audition time.
3 months before
Choose and refine your performance piece
Select the audition piece and commit to it. Perform it weekly in front of family or peers. Your teacher should hear it at every lesson.
6 weeks before
Simulate the full audition
Run a mock full audition with your teacher. Include all components in sequence. Identify the weakest area and prioritise it for the final weeks.
2 weeks before
Consolidate — no new material
No learning new pieces or techniques. Focus on consistency and confidence. Perform the piece every day but keep sessions short to avoid fatigue.
Final week
Rest and mental prep
Keep practice to 20–30 minutes. The piece is ready. Sleep well, eat well. On the day, arrive early and do a short warm-up before entering.
Don't neglect the ASET
Music stream applicants must also achieve a competitive ASET TSS — estimated around 240+. The ASET preparation load (4 sections: Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Writing) is substantial alongside music practice.
The good news: music-stream students tend to perform well in Reading Comprehension and Writing due to the pattern recognition and structured practice habits that music builds. But QR and AR still require dedicated preparation time.
See the full Perth Modern GATE entry guide →Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a TSS score AND pass the music audition to get into Perth Modern Music stream?
- Yes — both are required. Students must both sit the ASET and pass the music audition. A high TSS alone will not secure a Music stream place; similarly, a strong audition does not bypass the ASET requirement. Both must reach the minimum threshold. The Music stream has its own competitive ASET cut-off (estimated ~240+) that is separate from the general Academic stream threshold.
- What instruments are accepted for the Perth Modern music audition?
- All orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, and most band instruments are accepted. There is no preferred instrument. Students performing on less common instruments (e.g. harp, organ) should confirm with the school in advance. The quality of the performance matters more than the choice of instrument.
- What grade level do you need on your instrument for Perth Modern?
- There is no formal AMEB grade requirement, but applicants who are performing at approximately Grade 4–5 AMEB standard (or equivalent) tend to be competitive. The audition assesses musical aptitude and potential, not just current technical standard — students who show strong pitch accuracy, rhythmic precision, and musical engagement can succeed even if they are still working on technical grade pieces.
- Can a student who has only played for 2 years succeed at the Perth Modern music audition?
- It depends on the student's natural aptitude and the quality of instruction. The audition assesses innate musical ability alongside developed skills. Some students with 2–3 years of serious training have strong pitch accuracy and musical instincts that perform well. However, students with 4–6 years of consistent quality instruction are generally better prepared, especially for sight-reading and the performance component.
- Does Perth Modern prioritise voice or certain instruments over others?
- No instrument is officially preferred. Perth Modern's Music stream includes orchestral strings, woodwind, brass, keyboard, guitar, and voice. The program values breadth of instrumentation across its ensemble — in practice, this means there may be more competition for common instruments (piano, violin, flute) than for less common ones.
- Can you apply for both the Academic and Music streams at Perth Modern?
- Yes. Students can nominate both streams on their application. If they meet both the TSS threshold and the audition standard, they would typically be offered the Music stream place (as it is harder to secure). Failing the audition or not meeting its standard does not affect their Academic stream application.
ASET Preparation
Prepare the ASET side of your application
While you work on the music audition, WA GATE Prep handles the ASET side — AI-generated practice papers, instant writing evaluation, and a live TSS estimate so you always know where you stand.
No credit card required
Related Articles
Perth Modern School GATE — Full Entry Guide
Academic, Music and Language streams explained
Perth Modern vs Shenton College — Which School?
Side-by-side TSS and culture comparison
Perth Modern TSS Score History & Analysis
Official DoE data 2022–2026 and 2027 estimates
ASET Writing — 24-Point Rubric Guide
How to improve your Writing score
Prepare smarter — track your real ASET score
Weekly mock papers, AI writing evaluation, and a live Projected Score that updates after every test. No card needed.
Free plan available · cancel anytime