Master of Music (Musicology/Ethnomusicology)

The Master of Music is a research degree that prepares students for specialist careers in musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, performance, or music therapy. The degree takes 18 months full-time (three years part-time) to complete.

Musicology and Ethnomusicology candidates undertake a research project and prepare a thesis which may be presented as:

A study of approximately 30,000 words embodying the results of significant research
OR
A transcription and edition of a substantial body of music together with a critical study of between 10,000-20,000 words on the music edited.

Candidates also participate in the weekly Postgraduate Seminar.

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 teamwork.

On completion of the Musicology or Ethnomusicology stream, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research in music;
• Present their research in publishable form or work towards incorporating their findings in further research;
• Proceed to the PhD if their MMus thesis has demonstrated appropriate research potential;
• Apply the experience gained in their training to the practical needs of society as appropriate.

Full-time and Part-time study options are available.

Students undertake one of the following course structures:

Seminars are undertaken across three semesters.

OR:

Plus THREE elective subjects.

Seminars are undertaken across three semesters.

Elective subjects

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

Students in the Musicology specialisation must have successfully completed Music Research, or equivalent. Students in the Ethnomusicology specialisation must also have successfully completed The Ethnography of Music, or equivalent. This requirement is usually completed before the commencement of the candidature.

Application Procedure

Further details regarding how to apply are available via the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music website: http://www.conservatorium.unimelb.edu.au/mmus

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 be provided.

Evidence of Scholarly Ability

Applicants in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Therapy and Composition (with Minor Thesis option) are required to submit a copy of their Honours dissertation or a substantial piece of scholarly writing with their application. A research proposal, including topic and proposed methodology, must also be provided.

Evidence of research ability

Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project, component, subject or group of subjects that accounts for at least 25% of their work (i.e. Honours year), or 25% of one year accumulated over the length of a Masters course, and which has, or have, been conducted, and assessed, individually. Research carried out in groups should at least have been graded individually. This project, component, or subject(s) may include:

(a) any obviously research oriented project, subject or sustained piece of scholarly writing conducted for assessment, such as small theses, research essays, long essays, or studios; AND/OR

(b) any less-obviously research subjects, including practice-based subjects such as performance or fieldwork, where there is also scholastic rigor as documented in a sustained piece of writing analogous to (a); AND/OR

(c) any subjects directed at the formation of research skills, such as methodology and reasoning, such as scientific reasoning, or legal reasoning, where a sustained piece of writing has also been produced.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Research Masters degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who have a capacity for defining and managing a research project characterised by originality and independence. Their training equips them for more sustained and original work at the doctoral level or for applied research positions in a wider variety of contexts.

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.