Program overview

Why choose this program?

This program provides the highest quality professional music training available for the classical and contemporary instrumentalist, vocalist or composer. With an unexcelled range of ensemble and elective options, the program will enable you to develop pathways of study that coincide with your own interests, and to acquire the adaptability, self-motivation, technological literacy and breadth of vision necessary to succeed in the music industry.

You’ll graduate with a clear sense of direction and a repertoire of relevant professional skills built up through practical experience and workplace training.

Although designed as a four-year program, the degree also offers you the option to exit after three years at which point you will be awarded a Bachelor of Music. Completion of the four-year program will qualify you for one of the following awards:

• Bachelor of Music in Performance
• Bachelor of Music in Advanced Performance

• Bachelor of Music in Composition
• Bachelor of Music in Performance and Pedagogy

You’ll be admitted to a Major Study in an instrument (now including brass band instruments), voice or composition in either Classical or Contemporary/Jazz strands.

You may audition on more than one instrument, but if successful, your offer will be for only one of your auditioned areas. There is the option after year one to split your major between two areas in an innovative cross-studies major (subject to special criteria).

Depending on your level of skill at the end of year one, you may also seek transfer into the Advanced Performance strand - a select group of highly accomplished performance students. This would enable you to devote more time and greater concentration to your performance study and to work at a higher performance level.

If you have a strong interest in developing your skills and knowledge of Instrumental or Vocal Pedagogy, to prepare to teach your instrument or voice, you can elect to specialise in this field, leading to the Bachelor of Music in Performance and Pedagogy.

If you wish to study Music Education and gain registration to teach in Queensland schools you’ll enter a teaching preparation strand in your second year. Upon successful completion of the first three years, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Music and will also be eligible to apply for entry into a Graduate Diploma of Education - Secondary program.

This program will qualify you to teach either Classroom Music and another classroom subject or Classroom Music and Instrumental Teaching. During the first three years of your Bachelor of Music you’ll study a range of courses in either Instrumental Teaching or a second classroom subject in preparation for your education studies.

All strands of the Bachelor of Music aim to produce graduates who are highly skilled, musically adaptable and equipped to enter professional life as creative and flexible 21st century musicians. Your educational experience will include exposure to diverse musical styles and idioms, including classical, contemporary and world music and to the broadly accepted musical skills of aural awareness training, music theory and ensemble work.

The inclusion of Project Studies courses enables you to gain invaluable industry and professional experience by undertaking off-campus projects which are credited to your degree. This highly innovative component of the program will help set you up for a smooth transition into professional life.

Elective courses are available to deepen and broaden your musical experience. Elective study areas include:

• Composition
• Conducting
• Contemporary Music
• Keyboard Accompaniment
• Music Industry Studies

• Music Literature
• Music Technology
• Music Theory and Aural Studies
• Opera and Music Theatre Studies
• Pedagogy

The following Honours strands are also available for eligible students within the Bachelor of Music degree:

• Performance
• Advanced Performance

• Composition
• Performance and Pedagogy

Attendance

The Bachelor of Music is offered full-time on campus at the South Bank campus. You may choose to study courses at other campuses if or where the program structure allows.

In the Bachelor of Music program, you must maintain a full-time study load. If you have reasons why you cannot maintain enrolment in at least 30 credit points per semester, you must seek approval from the Program Convenor to take a reduced study load. Students enrolling in an Honours strand are required to complete coursework and a dissertation.

Coursework: You are required to attend approximately 12-16 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the semester. Classes are held during the day however some Performance Rehearsals and Master Classes may occur in the evening. Performance Rehearsals may require up to 6 hours per week.

Dissertation (4th year Honours students only): During your enrolment in the dissertation component of this program, it is expected that you will be able to work independently for most of the time. The requirement for on-campus attendance is relatively flexible and unstructured. However, you will be required to meet regularly with your supervisor and it is recommended that you discuss the on-campus attendance requirements with your supervisor at the start of the dissertation.

Career opportunities

Self-directed project work will allow you to begin the transition from student to professional life while still based in the supportive Conservatorium environment. You will have opportunities to refine your skills, focus and target your professional options and gain first-hand professional experience in your chosen area.

The Bachelor of Music in Performance or Advanced Performance gives you a strong professional platform from which to launch a career as an instrumentalist or vocalist. You will have a clear understanding of what is required by instrumental and vocal ensembles and companies, orchestras, theatre, media, the entertainment industry and community arts.

As a contemporary or jazz musician, you will be equipped to work at a high professional level in the fields of contemporary music, musical theatre, media and entertainment.

If you have trained as a composer, you may seek to establish an independent career including writing or arranging for film, plays, television, concert performance or musical theatre. Increasingly, the contemporary composer works in a multimedia environment and, appropriately skilled, has opportunities in a range of creative fields in the burgeoning new technology area.

The Bachelor of Music in Performance and Pedagogy gives you opportunities in studio teaching and instrumental teaching in schools. As a graduate, you will also be eligible to apply for entry to a Graduate Diploma of Education - Secondary program.