Composition Major

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music composition department is a vibrant environment in which young composing musicians are equipped with the skills and insights necessary to develop their own creative voices.

We encourage composition in all styles, and offer guidance via a weekly seminar and regular group and individual lessons. Students have the opportunity to work through all phases of the composition process, from first ideas, through completion of a professionally-presented score, to interaction with performers in rehearsals culminating in public performance.

Students apply for entry to the composition specialisation at the end of their first year of the BMus, taking a guided program of specialised study over several years. Undergraduate students also undertake training in electro-acoustic sound manipulation, studio recording and editing.

At the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, students:

• Acquire the skills of compositional technique, professional craft and technological fluency
• Gain an understanding of diverse musical traditions
• Develop the ability to collaborate with other artistic disciplines
• Engage with the wider community

All BMus students undertake a common first year experience.

Degree Flexibility

The BMus is a highly flexible degree, enabling students to design a degree pathway to match their musical interests and pathways. The Composition Major allows students to take advantage of this degree flexibility to tailor subject selections, retaining capacity to move between specialisations and keeping graduate study and career options open.

Did you know...?

• Music Research and/or The Ethnography of Music can be taken as elective subjects in the Composition Major, broadening pathway options to the Bachelor of Music (Honours).

Students are encouraged to seek course advice regarding tailoring of their subject selections and course structure.

Composition Major - second year

PLUS one of:

PLUS

Applied Skills Elective 6.25

Breadth/Free subjects 25.00

Composition Major - third year

PLUS

Academic Elective 12.50

Applied Skills Electives, Academic Elective or Music Studies Elective 12.50

Breadth/Free subjects 25.00