Backing tracks which include any vocal performance, including backing vocals, are not permitted. 

When selecting an appropriate backing track, it is essential to listen to the track all the way through to ensure that the backing track does not have any vocal performance. Certain Musical Theatre songs and backing tracks may be instrumental all the way through, only introducing vocals towards the end. We strongly recommend that you play the backing track from beginning to end, preferably on a speaker or through headphones at a reasonable volume, so you can identify if there any vocal performances, echo of vocals or dialogue anywhere. If there are any vocals at all, no matter how minimal, we ask that you find a new backing track. If vocals are identified anywhere in the backing track, the performance will be referred back to LAMDA and the outcome may be an invalidation of the assessment. 

The accompanying track does not have to be a fully orchestrated version of the piece. A recorded piano/keyboard, guitar or other appropriate instrument version of the song is also acceptable. 

If you are struggling to find a backing track of the song of your choice without a vocal performance, consider looking on YouTube, Spotify (or similar available music apps, such as Apple Music and SoundCloud) or Google.  

Some Musical Cast Recording Albums include an instrumental version of the pieces.  

There are also collections of anthologies for Musical Theatre songs, such as the Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology series, which include an instrumental downloadable backing track with the book. 

Lastly, if the song you wish to perform is not available without backing vocals, we strongly recommend that a different song is selected.