Master of Music (Music Performance)

The Master of Music is a research degree that prepares students for specialist careers in musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, performance or music therapy. Applicants should contact the relevant academic staff member to discuss prerequisites.

All candidates are required to complete satisfactorily a study in one area of specialisation. Total weighting for the course is 150 points; the degree takes 18 months full-time (three years part-time) to complete.

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply the best practices of local, national and international standards in their professional performance in their chosen specialisation;

• Pursue an informed program of independent further study in their chosen area of specialisation in music;

• Provide leadership in the profession in their chosen area of specialisation in music;

• Use current technologies and assimilate the potential of emerging technologies to facilitate and heighten the dissemination of skills, knowledge and information;

• Value and participate in projects requiring team-work.

On completion of the Music Performance stream, students will have:

• Developed instrumental or vocal skills to the level expected for entry into the performance profession;

• Expanded their knowledge of repertory and style.

Students may undertake an elective in place of Ensemble A and/or Ensemble B if they wish.

Elective subjects

To be accepted into the Master of Music, students should normally have a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with a final result of first-class honours or high second-class honours.

Application Procedure

Students are encouraged to provide as much detailed information in support of their application as possible and to discuss their application with a member of the Academic Staff prior to submission.

Certified transcripts of academic records at any tertiary institution other than The University of Melbourne must be forwarded with the application. If the transcription is not in English, a certified translation must also be provided.

Audition

Applicants for the Performance stream are required to undertake a fifty (50) minute audition. Applicants currently enrolled in the Faculty of Music subject Music Performance 4-2 are permitted to use their final recital examination as their audition.

• Music Performance 4-2 candidates who gain less than 80% in their final exam are able to undertake an audition for Master of Music candidature.
• The level of repertoire and duration of the audition for the Master of Music is equivalent to the Faculty's undergraduate subject Music Performance 4-2 examination. That is, applicants will be expected to demonstrate a thorough technical background able to cope with all stylistic demands; a sizeable concert repertory covering all styles; and the ability to manage stress to ensure sound concert presentation. Normally, music performance programs will include major repertoire and an appropriate variety of compositional styles.
• Overseas and, where necessary, interstate students may submit a video recording in place of attending an audition. The video is to be recorded in one session, must be uncut, and accompanied by a statutory declaration stating that:

'This video/DVD is submitted in application for the Master of Music (Performance) course. The performance is by the undersigned................(Full name), has been filmed in one session and is unedited.

Signed................ Date......................'

The University expects its research masters graduates to have the following qualities and skills:

• An ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
• A demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project;
• An ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research;
• An understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area;
• A capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature;
• Well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline
• The ability to analyse research data within a changing disciplinary environment;
• The capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
• An understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area;
• A profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
• A capacity to co-operate with other researchers;
• An ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.

All Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Performance Master of Music candidates who enrolled for the first time after 1996 are required to complete a hurdle Language Reading Examination requirement during their candidature. Students can select one of the following languages: German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Russian.

These examinations expect a reading knowledge only of the language concerned, and can be undertaken at any stage of the candidature by arrangement with the Graduate Programs Manager. Candidates must make their own arrangements to prepare for the requirement and cover any costs involved accordingly. Sample examination papers are available from the Graduate Programs Manager.

Please note that for this examination:

• A dictionary may be used in the examination room, however electronic dictionaries and translation aides are not permitted;
• 15 minutes of reading time are allowed before commencement of the examination;
• One and a half hours are allowed to write the translation.

A candidate will not normally be permitted to proceed with a thesis or final recital examination until this requirement is met.