Bachelor of Music

If you have been studying or learning a musical instrument, composing, producing or creating music, then studying music at university level is an excellent way to continue your studies and prepare you for a career as a professional musician, composer, music maker or in a music related field.

The program aims to develop skills and nurture talent by providing opportunities to develop individual creativity while receiving high quality training in music. Students receive individual and group tuition in their principal instrument, attend classes in essential core academic curricula, and have the opportunity to study a variety of electives. The Conservatorium is also able to offer a variety of performance experiences as well as the opportunity to attend concerts and workshops. The concerts and workshops are often presented by high profile national and international musicians who regularly visit the Conservatorium. The program involves a broad base of performance activities including jazz, popular music, improvisation, creative production and world music. There are the many opportunities for students in the areas of opera, jazz, contemporary music, chamber music or orchestral performance throughout the region. For these experiences students are required to create, work or perform music for popular venues, community events, or the numerous concerts held in the Hunter region.

Bachelor of Music students will attain a high level of skill in a principal study area: instrument, voice, composition, creative production. Practical activities within the program include performances in the principal study areas, chamber music, choir, contemporary and jazz ensembles and orchestra. Collaborative activities between performance students, composition and creative production students are encouraged. Final examination can include a public recital or presentation. For composers, public performances of your music is an essential part of your program. Courses are subject to routine review.

Careers include freelance musician, professional orchestral player, music producer in recording or mixing, musical arranger, composer, musical instrument maker or repairer, music publishing, conductor, musical director, DJ, studio teacher, music editor, member of an opera company, recording session musician, community or private music teacher, university lecturer, member of a defence forces band, computer music maker, music journalist, or music researcher. With additional study, graduates can also undertake careers as music therapists, arts administrators, public relations officers, librarians in music resources, business managers for music organisations or musicians, marketing, public relations staff in the theatre and secondary school teachers.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/ for information on how to gain entry.

Please note that students will also be required to audition. The audition form is available from further information link.

You may also be eligible to receive bonus points if you will be receiving an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/what-can-i-study/undergraduate-programs/how-to-get-in/domestic-students/options-for-entry/bonus-points.html to see if you may be eligible.

Applicants are required to undertake a one hour aural comprehension, listening and theory test. Some parts of the listening and theory test are designed to ascertain musical knowledge and ability. Some parts test basic skills in notation and music theory such as scales and chord recognition. Other parts of the test will be focussed on listening, identifying patterns, textures and differentiating between different approaches to recordings.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/drama-fine-art-music-conservatorium/students/future.html

• An audition is required as part of the application process. An audition application form is available at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/drama-fine-art-music-conservatorium/students/future.html

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on ‘How to Apply for Credit’.

Students who perform well during the Bachelor of Music degree with a credit average (GPA of 5.0) or greater, may apply for a further year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study to obtain an Honours degree. The Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree allows students to further develop their specific areas of interest.

Students regularly perform and participate in activities within and external to the Conservatorium. They are an integral part of the musical identity of the Hunter region.

Many of our graduates have gone on to have international careers or successful careers nationally and locally.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student¿s responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.