Bachelor of Music

The BMus enables students to specialise in performance, composition and musicology/ethnomusicology, and to design a course structure appropriate to their interests and vocational aspirations.

• contextualise their performing within the best practices of local, national and international standards;
• demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of their discipline;
• pursue musical knowledge and skills independently, with intellectual honesty and rigorous methods of inquiry both in a specialisation and in the discipline as a whole;
• use and assimilate the potential of technologies to facilitate the dissemination of musical skills, knowledge and information;
• make critical, informed and sophisticated responses to new musical ideas, methodologies and theoretical frameworks, both in their specialisation and in the discipline of music as a whole;
• show empathy, self-reflection and critical intelligence in the dissemination of skills and knowledge in their specialisation;
• work competently and productively in a musical setting, both alone and in groups;
• integrate a holistic view of music from different times and places into their working and intellectual lives;
• participate with integrit, discrimination and sound knowledge and understanding in national and international debates, dialogues and discussions in their area of specialsiation and in the discipline as a whole;
• communicate effectively;
• qualify for employment in a wide range of occupations in the music profession;
• have a lifelong commitment to learning.

The Bachelor of Music requires the successful completion of 300 points comprising:

• 225 points of Music discipline subjects including:
  
  • At least 75 points at Level 1, including compulsory subjects
  • At least 75 points at Level 2
  • At least 75 points at Level 3

• 50 points of breadth including:
  
  • At least 12.5 points at Level 2 or 3 (and no more than 37.5 points at Level 1)

• 25 points of free subjects at Levels 1 to 3

• No more than 125 points may be taken at Level 1.

Progression: Students must normally complete 50 points of study at one year‐level before proceeding to the next year level.

The Bachelor of Music is characterised by:

• a 225-point sequence of subjects requiring evidence of accumulating development and depth of study over three years and mastery of skills and knowledge-based outcomes in the discipline of music and incorporating:
• a common first-year experience in which four areas of study in music are pursued:
  • Performance skills
  • Historical, theoretical and contextual studies
  • Aural studies
  • Applied skills
• Breadth subjects in an area of intellectual enquiry that complements and enriches but is distinct from the ways of understanding the world acquired through the study of music the acquisition of skills,expertise and knowledge necessary to self-manage a portfolio career in music through subjects taken for credit and newly-developed academic enrichment strategies
• the sequential accumulation of musical skills and knowledge to equip students as music educators
• flexibility in subject choice in the second year, allowing students to commence specialised studies leading to a vocational/professional and/or a research higher degree outcome, and including the possibility of a semester of study abroad
• a directed program of academic enrichment relevant to employment as a Bachelor of Music graduate
• consolidation of specialised skills and knowledge in the third year, including a Capstone experience
• progression to a sequential or graduate degree in another discipline
• exit from tertiary study with the capacity for later direct or lateral articulation into a graduate degree in music or another discipline

First Year

PLUS

Two Applied Skills Electives 12.50

Breadth subjects* or free subjects (see Course Structure & Available Subjects section above) 25.00

*to include ESL subject/s as directed

Second and Third year

Performance Specialisation - second year

PLUS

Academic or Applied Skills Electives 18.75

Performance Specialisation - third year

PLUS

Applied Skills Electives 12.50

Academic or Music Studies Electives 25.00

Breadth subjects or free subjects (see Course Structure & Available Subjects section above) 25.00

For students who demonstrate outstanding promise as performers, the following subjects are available by approval of the Director (normally based on a result of 80% or greater in 740-299 Music Performance 4). These subjects are taken in place of Music Performance 5 and 6. Students enrolled in these subjects undertake 12.50 points of Academic or Music Studies Electives in year 3.

Composition Specialisation - second year

PLUS

Applied Skills Elective 6.25

Breadth subjects or free subjects (see Course Structure & Available Subjects section above) 25.00

Composition Specialisation - third year

PLUS

Academic or Applied Skills or Music Studies Electives 25.00

Breadth subjects or free subjects (see Course Structure & Available Subjects section above) 25.00

Musicology/Ethnomusicology Specialisation - second year

PLUS

Academic or Applied Skills Electives 43.75

Breadth subjects or free subjects (see Course Structure & Available Subjects section above) 25.00

Musicology/Ethnomusicology Specialisation - third year

Students take Music Research AND/OR Ethnography of Music

PLUS

Academic or Applied Skills or Music Studies Electives 62.50 [50.00]

Breadth subjects or free subjects (see Course Structure & Available Subjects section above) 25.00

Applied Skills Electives

• Singers must take at least one of Language and Diction German, Italian, French and Spanish. Enrolment in these subjects for non-voice students is by special permission.
• Year 1 pianists must take Art of Piano Teaching 1. Enrolment for all other students is by special permission.
• Minor Music Performance subjects are available by special permission only.

Applied Skills Electives - Ensemble Electives

SUBJECT LEVELS.
Most ensembles are offered at 1st, 2nd and 3rd year levels. The list below shows level 1 codes only, with details of level 2 and 3 codes embedded in these subject descriptions. Please review ensemble subject descriptions prior to enrolment, to ensure selection of the relevant year level subject code.

Audition and Special Permission requirements.
A number of ensembles require an audition or special permission before enrolment can be approved. During the re-enrolment period, all ensemble selections will be processed with provisional approval. These enrolments will then be reviewed by Ensemble Directors, in the context of results, and students will be advised in late December/early January whether an audition/special permission will be needed before ensemble enrolment can be confirmed. Auditions will be held during February. The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music reserves the right to alter ensemble enrolments according to audition/special permission requirements.

Academic Electives

Music Studies Electives

Available Breadth Tracks

In addition to the University's entry requirements (outlined at www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au), applicants are required to pass an audition and complete a musicianship test.

Audition: For an audition to be at a competitive standard, we recommend that the repertoire presented be at the equivalent standard of Grade 7 AMEB (Grade 8 ABRSM) for instrumentalists or Grade 5 AMEB for vocalists. Applicants who are advanced on two instruments, and are unsure on which instrument to specialise, are welcome to audition for both instruments.

Applicants should prepare three pieces demonstrating their skill on the instrument they wish to study. The pieces should be of contrasting styles and periods, and the audition program should be no longer than 20 minutes. A sample program might include works from the Baroque, Romantic and 20th century repertoires. Applicants may also be asked to demonstrate some technical work. The audition panel will not hear all of the program and will make its own selection from the works prepared.

Live auditions are usually held from late November into early December. Applicants from overseas, interstate or regional Victoria can submit an audition recording.

Musicianship Test: a diagnostic test of aural and theory skills. The test is held muliple times during the live audition period and for those that audition via recording, again in the Orientation period, prior to the commencement of classes.

See http://www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au/bmus/audition for further details.

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music’s programs, especially the Bachelor of Music. The Music degree is a degree which involves acquisition and refinement of musical knowledge and practice. All students of Music must possess intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

A candidate for the BMus degree must have abilities and skills which include the following:

a) Well developed existing proficiency in at least one musical instrument. This instrumental or vocal proficiency is initially measured at the application stage by audition into the Bachelor of Music. This proficiency will involve appropriately developed physical skills to achieve a well developed level of physical control of the instrument;

b) Well developed music literacy. A candidate must be capable of reading music notation fluently whether in standard musical notation or Braille musical notation;

c) Aural discrimination skills. A candidate needs to have well developed hearing to ensure that the aural requirements essential to the study of Music can be met;

d) The ability to comprehend complex music information and material independently. A candidate needs to possess an appropriate level of cognition to deal with required material relating to the theory and history of Music. This material may exist in written, and aural and schematised forms;

e) The capacity to communicate clearly a knowledge and application of music principles and practice in assessment activities and the ability to function as part of a musical team. A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full use of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the prompt completion of all responsibilities required by the course. All candidates need to be aware of their personal limitations and be aware of when and where to seek professional advice or supervision. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing musical practice and to function effectively under stress and isolation in musical preparation. They must also be able to function effectively as part of a musical ensemble, to adapt to changing environments and to display flexibility.

f) Behavioural and Social Attributes. A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

• Master of Music - specialisations available in Performance, Conducting, Composition, Musicology/Ethnomusicology and Music Therapy (by research)
• Master of Music Studies Intensive Mode - designed for music professionals in educational organisations who wish to enhance their expertise in ways directly relevant to their work.
• Master of Music Studies (by coursework) - specialisations available in Performance Studies, Composition, Musicology and Ethnomusicology.
• Master of Music Therapy - A coursework program leading to professional registration as Music Therapists (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (Inc.).
• Doctor of Musical Arts - a professional coursework doctorate in music performance.
• Doctor of Philosophy - Music (Thesis only)
• Doctor of Philosophy - Performance (50% Performance, 50% Thesis)
• Graduate Diploma in Guided Imagery and Music - an intensive mode coursework degree providing advanced level training in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) therapy.
• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Music - a pathway for music graduates with a three-year degree to gain an Honours degree equivalent and thereby become eligible for higher degree study. Specialisations available in Instrumental/Vocal Studies, Composition Musicology and Ethnomusicology.
• Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Music - designed for university graduates in any field who wish to undertake university-level study in music.

• Academically excellent as a result of:
  • intensive and rigorous one-to-one tuition in performance over three years and composition over two years
  • participation in a diversity of teaching and learning modes, including individual tuition, tutorials, masterclasses, performance and concert classes, on-line learning, seminars, large lectures and ensemble experiences
  • assessment practices that demand independent thinking, critical analysis and an openness to new ideas

• articulate and authoritatively informed in musical discourse
• familiar and competent with research protocols, written and spoken communication skills and the ethics of scholarship through a program of core and elective academic subjects over three years
• artistically sophisticated with a high level of understanding of the aesthetic of their discipline
• Competent across disciplines as a result of:
  • participation in a variety of "ways of knowing" within the discipline of music - solo, chamber and orchestral competency; theoretical knowledge of music, historical and contextual knowledge of music; aural acuity
  • participation in 75 points of breadth subjects
  • able to use the interaction of music and other disciplines with creativity and insight

• Community leader through:
  • undertaking and developing new initiatives in community awareness and understanding of the place of music in society
  • a program of professional internships
  • a program of work placement through the Melbourne Musicians' Agency
  • leadership roles in University and community based public performances, workshops and outreach programs
  • high level development of teamwork and group dynamic skills through participation in music ensembles

• Attuned to cultural diversity through:
  • a raft of academic elective and ensemble opportunities that involve thinking about difference in ways of being musical as well as participating in music from other times and places
  • familiarity with culturally diverse ways of conceptualising and talking about music
  • hands-on experiences of culturally diverse styles of music making and musical pedagogy

• Global citizens through:
  • experiences gained through Study Abroad
  • participation throughout the course in the inherently international nature of music in all its manifestations
  • awareness as ambassadors for Australia through promotion of its cultural richness
  • facilitators and communicators between diverse cultural communities

Every subject you take in the BMus has a set of objectives which relate the content of the subject and its assessment requirements to your acquisition, not only of specific skills and knowledge, but also of generic skills. Generic skills will accompany you throughout your life and will provide you with the expertise to enter a huge variety of careers in or related to the music profession. For example:

• Juggling your practice, study, leisure and work time commitments provides you with generic skills in planning and time management, an ability necessary for almost any employment you can imagine.
• Playing in ensembles, and organising rehearsals and performances, involves you in the generic skills of teamwork and leadership, which you will also need in your future career.
• Many of the assessment tasks in your music history and theory subjects involve you in the generic "thinking skills" including critical thinking skills, analytical skills and problem-solving skills. You will also gain a sophisticated attitude towards knowledge, and develop and enhance your abilities in seeking, evaluating and retrieving information.
• Your written and spoken presentations in many subjects develop your communication skills.
• Your life at the Faculty will bring you into contact with students from many different backgrounds with whom you will work closely in practical and academic tasks, increasing your skills in intercultural understanding and sensitivity.

With such a battery of specific and generic skills you will be set for lifelong learning and enjoyment of music. In addition, the words used to describe generic skills which you acquire during the BMus are very useful when you are preparing your resume or curriculum vitae for job applications.