Diploma in Music (Practical)

The Diploma in Music (Practical) is studied concurrently with a Melbourne Model undergraduate degree and provides University of Melbourne students the opportunity to engage in one-to-one instrumental and vocal tuition. The Diploma has been specially structured over a 3-year time frame to allow for concurrent completion of both Bachelor and Diploma courses.

The Diploma comprises a three-year sequence of practical, ensemble and elective subjects, studied alongside Bachelor of Music students, giving you the opportunity to build valuable friendships and networks in a challenging musical environment. At the conclusion of the course, you should have acquired advanced practical abilities that compare with the end of the second year of the Bachelor of Music course. Through elective subjects, you should also have a basic understanding of the historical and theoretical knowledge that forms part of advanced musical training.

• contextualise their performance practice on their chosen instrument within the best practices of local, national and international standards
• demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the practice of music performance
• pursue musical skills independently, with rigorous methods of inquiry in their instrumental specialisation
• make critically informed responses to new musical ideas in their instrumental repertoire
• show critical intelligence in self awareness in the dissemination of skills and knowledge in their specialisation
• work competently in a musical setting both alone and in groups
• communicate effectively and persuasively in all forms of musical discourse relating to the area of their specialisation
• be capable of further development and advancement in the area of their specialisation

To allow for concurrent completion with a Melbourne Model undergraduate degree, the Diploma in Music (Practical) has been structured to allow some subjects to be taken within the breadth component of your main degree. These subjects count towards both the Bachelor and Diploma courses.

Diploma students are also permitted to enrol beyond the standard 50 point semester load with subjects from the practical component of the course. This "overload" has minimal impact on your overall commitments each semester as the contact hours and assessment requirements have been designed in the context of this course structure.

Important note.

Up to 25 points of Academic/Music Studies elective subjects taken within the Bachelor degree (as breadth subjects) can be cross-credited to the Diploma. These 25 points can be taken in any semester, however must be completed no later than the end of year 2.

First Year

Two Applied Skills Electives 12.500

12.5 points of Academic/Music Studies Electives, taken within the breadth component of the new generation degree*.

*25 points of Academic/Music Studies Electives must be completed no later than the end of year 2. Students may complete these 2 subjects in this timeframe at their discretion.

Second Year

Two Applied Skills Electives 12.500

12.5 points of Academic/Music Studies Electives, taken within the breadth component of the new generation degree*.

*25 points of Academic/Music Studies Electives must be completed no later than the end of year 2. Students may complete these 2 subjects in this timeframe at their discretion.

Third Year

Two Applied Skills Electives 12.500

Example Course Structure

David is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Creative Writing plus a Diploma in Music (Practical) (DipMus) on piano. He is also interested in psychology and has chosen Breadth subjects in this area, as well as Music. His sample course plan is:

YEAR 1, Semester 1
BA - Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice
BA - Homer to Hollywood (core foundational subject)
BA - Self and Other (core foundational subject)
Breadth - Music Language Studies 1: The Diatonic World*
DipMus - Music Performance 1D
DipMus - The Art of Piano Teaching

YEAR 1, Semester 2
BA - Culture, Media and Everyday Life
BA - Australian Politics
BA - Famine in the Modern World
Breadth - Medieval and Early Modern Music*
DipMus - Music Performance 2
DipMus - Conservatorium Choir

YEAR 2, Semester 1
BA - Creative Non-Fiction
BA - Experimental Fiction
BA - Modern Political Thought
Breadth - Mind, Brain & Behaviour 1
DipMus - Music Performance 3D
DipMus - Piano Duo and Duet

YEAR 2, Semester 2
BA - Writing for Real
BA - Principles of Editing and Publishing
BA - Public Policy Making
Breadth - Cognitive Psychology
DipMus - Music Performance 4D
DipMus - Piano Duo and Duet

YEAR 3, Semester 1
BA - Thinking Writing
BA - Novels
BA - Contemporary Cultural Studies
Breadth - Music Psychology
DipMus - Music Performance 5D
DipMus - Chamber Music

YEAR 3, Semester 2
BA - Writing for Theatre
BA - Gender Sexuality and Culture
BA - Encounters with Writing (capstone subject)
Breadth - Music and Health
DipMus - Music Performance 6D
DipMus - Chamber Music

* 25 points of Academic/Music Studies Electives (2 x 12.5 pts) count towards both the Bachelor and Diploma courses. These 25 points can be taken in any semester, however must be completed no later than the end of year 2.

Applied Skills Electives

• Enrolment in Language and Diction subjects for non-voice students is by special permission.
• Enrolment in Art of Piano Teaching for non year 1 piano students is by special permission.

Applied Skills Electives - Ensemble Electives

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 School of Music reserves the right to alter ensemble enrolments according to audition/special permission requirements.

Subject levels
Most ensembles are offered at 1st, 2nd and 3rd year levels. The list below shows level 1 codes only. See ensemble subject descriptions for the relevant year level subject code.

Academic Electives

Music Studies Electives

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. The Diploma in Music (Practical) 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.

Graduates of the new generation Diploma in Music (Practical) will be:

Academically excellent as a result of:

• one-to-one tuition in performance over three years
• participation in a diversity of teaching and learning models including individual tuition, masterclasses, concert classes, large lectures, seminars, tutorials, on-line learning and ensemble experiences

• participation in a variety of "ways of knowing" within the discipline of music - solo and ensemble performance competency, theoretical, historical and contextual knowledge of music.
• able to us the interaction of music and other disciplines with creativity and insight

Leaders in communities through:

• high level development of teamwork and group dynamic skills through participation in music ensembles
• leadership roles in University and community based public performances, workshops and outreach programs.

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

Active global citizens through:

• 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.