Bachelor of Music

Overview

• Study current issues in music and sound practice.
• Develop practical skills in music and sound production.
• Gain experience and contacts in your industry throughprofessional industry placements and projects.
• Choose independent study options where you can design and implement creative work.

Details

QUT's Bachelor of Music has been restructured to prepare aspiring musicians to adapt to the rapidly changing music industry.

Students are encouraged to create works across musical boundaries and strike out in bold new directions.

In your first year you will gain a broad set of foundation skills and experience in both the performance and production areas before choosing a specialisation.

From your second year you can choose to specialise in performance or production, or combine both. If production is your passion, you will focus on creating new music using songwriting, studio recording, sequencing, digital processing, and writing for voices with acoustic and electro-acoustic instruments. If you are interested in performance, you will focus on developing your unique performance style, such as creating new work, using digital technology, and new interpretations of repertoire, as well as gaining further experience performing in a recording studio.

Why choose this course?

QUT's Bachelor of Music degree takes a new approach to music education that aims to create a learning environment that will help you to identify your individual creativity and acquire the skills to realise your vision.

A key element of the course is a weekly series of workshops covering performance, writing and arranging, production, and industry.

Experienced practitioners from the music world conduct many of these workshops. Our teaching staff have professional links with Q Music, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), Arts Queensland, Ellaways Music, Creative Media Warehouse and ITC Software Development.

There is emphasis on creativity and new music and you will be encouraged to explore new connections and different styles and genres of music. Our industry-standard music recording studios will enable you to hone your skills in a professional setting. You will be inspired to collaborate with like-minded people on various projects while finding new ways to create music.

You will experience both live and recording studio environments, whether your focus is as a player or producer, and learn how to use technology to create music, record and distribute your works, and market your talent. As the course progresses, you will be given opportunities to launch your career through public performances in Brisbane’s live music venues. Music students have presented live performances in venues such as The Zoo, The HiFi, the Brisbane Powerhouse, Valley Studios and QPAC, as well as at the Brisbane Festival Spiegeltent.

Career outcomes

Graduates work in live sound recording and multimedia environments, as performers, producers, composers, developers of music software and games, DJs and music coaches. If taken in combination with a Graduate Diploma in Education (Senior Years), this course will enable you to become a qualified teacher. There are also pathways available for honours and professional or research postgraduate studies.

Units

Your course

Year 1

A foundation program in music concepts will provide you with an overview of contemporary developments in music and sound, along with musicianship skills. You will undertake a foundation program in music and sound production which will develop your skills with music technology and software. An intensive music studio experience will develop your skills in music and sound performance, presentation, and help you identify your creative direction.

Year 2

To develop a unique set of crossover musical skills, you will build on the foundation studies of your first year, and pursue a pathway that best suits your future needs. You will study creative performance, music and sound production, or a combination of the two. They will be accompanied by an intensive project-based study program, mentored by staff and industry professionals, which further develops your focus as an artist or creative producer. You will gain an understanding of the structure of the music industry, current industry issues, and learn how to promote yourself and organise events. You will complement your music studies by taking electives in other disciplines, or specialise further in the music and sound area.

Year 3

You will intensify your creative project work and showcase yourself to industry through a series of public performance and creative production opportunities. You will further your knowledge of the music industry via real-world learning contexts and have the opportunity to undertake projects with other talented creative artists and producers, or in partnership with related organisations. You can continue to engage more broadly with the creative industries by taking electives in other disciplines, or specialise further in the music and sound area.

Entry requirements

2012 registrations have closed.

Registration for 2012 intake was due on the 02 September 2011 and have now closed. If had not registered and you are considering applying to study in 2013 we recommend you read the following information as a guide only as it details requirements for entry in 2012 and these may change prior to the 2013 intake.

Thank you for your interest in Music at the QUT Creative Industries Faculty. To be considered for a place you must both apply through QTAC and register directly with the Creative Industries Faculty through our Online Registration Form. Please read through the following information carefully to ensure you are prepared to apply at that time.

What is the closing date for additional entry registration with Music at QUT Creative Industries?

• You must register directly with the Creative Industries Faculty by the 02 September 2011 through the Online Registration Form.
• You must also apply through QTAC, where the due date for on-time applications is 30 September. See the QTAC website for more information.

What are the additional entry requirements and what qualities are you looking for?

• Academic record
• Photo. A current passport sized photo (for identification purposes only)
• Interview. During the interview you may be asked about:
  • Your past experiences in music and sound activities
  • What sort of music you enjoy playing and listening to
  • Your ambitions during your studies and beyond
  • How studying music at QUT will help you achieve your musical goals
• Audition: performance on instrument and/or Portfolio of music / sound works (if applicable)

1. The Interview

Qualities looked for in the Interview:

• a strong track record in relevant music and sound activities
• a strong potential for continued growth in your music and sound understanding and practice
• knowledge of QUT Creative Industries music courses and how this relates to your own personal goals

You are encouraged to bring to your interview evidence of any musical qualifications or any other information which will assist in gauging your musicianship level (e.g. copies of AMEB theory examination results, printed reviews of performances etc).

2. The Audition

Audition requirements (all applicants)

Present two items at the audition that you believe will persuade the panel of your suitability for QUT Music and Sound (it will be of benefit if at least one is your own song, improvisation or composition). The items may comprise the following:

• performances of two contrasting pieces of music of your own choice for the panel
  or
• performances of one piece of music and present one recorded piece (portfolio) for the panel to listen to at the audition,
  or
• presentation of two recorded pieces (portfolio) for the panel to listen to at the audition.

Total duration: no more than 10 minutes. You may be asked to stop playing/presenting before finishing a piece - in the event that this occurs, you should not assume that this has adverse implications on the assessment of your presentation.

Live Performance

You will need to demonstrate technical fluency/competency on your instrument and a well-developed sense of musicality and engagement.

• You can perform on any instrument - orchestral, acoustic, amplified, electronic (eg. computer, turntable etc.), non-western (eg. sitar, djembe, etc.)
• You can audition on more than one instrument so long as it fits within your 10 minute audition time.

It is your responsibility to arrange your own accompaniment if you require it. You can use backing tracks on CD. Other formats may be accommodated but only by prior arrangement or you may be accompanied by a maximum of 2 other musicians. Unaccompanied performance is acceptable however if the piece(s) you are performing are not intended as solo works, accompaniment is desirable.

Qualities looked for in the Live Performance Audition:

• Creativity and originality of approach
• Technically and creatively appropriate skills in presentation.
• Clear articulation of musical approach
• General sense of musicality and musical engagement
• Diversity of material presented.

Recorded Pieces

This should consist of music/sound works that you have created or have been partly involved in creating. Suitable items include (but are not limited to) written and/or performed compositions for acoustic instruments, music realised using computer software, pop songs, soundscapes, music you have recorded/engineered/produced etc. You will be expected to advise the panel of your precise role in the recorded pieces.

• Bring a portfolio of music/sound works that you have created. Suitable items include (but are not limited to); written and/or performed compositions for acoustic instruments, music realised using computer software, pop songs, soundscapes, music you have recorded/engineered/produced etc.
• You should include one or two contrasting pieces (only one if you are also choosing to perform a live piece) - total duration for all pieces 10 minutes maximum
• Acceptable formats are:
  • Audio CD (must be able to be played in a standard CD player)
  • CD-ROM (must be compatible with Macintosh and PC)
  • DVD (must be able to be played in a standard DVD player)
  • USB Stick
• Printed scores (if relevant and only in conjunction with an audio recording or performance of the piece),
• Please ensure you test your CDs, CD-ROMs or DVDs on multiple systems before submitting them. Failure of your media to play in the specified equipment may adversely affect your folio result.
• Your folio must be accompanied by written notes (maximum 200 words) that explain your precise role in each of the items (i.e. what your role/s were in the creation of the piece, how you created the piece, your artistic aims in creating the piece)
• All portfolio items should be marked with your name and contact details. Please note that portfolios are not returned.

Qualities looked for in Recorded Pieces:

• Creativity and originality of approach
• Technically and creatively appropriate skills in presentation.
• Clear articulation of musical approach
• General sense of musicality and musical engagement
• Diversity of material presented.

How do I apply?

• Complete the online registration and print the confirmation pages;
• Post or deliver the confirmation pages with a passport-style photograph attached; a copy of your academic record; a copy of the QUTpay confirmation page from your online credit card payment of the $33 service fee (PLEASE NOTE: Q-Step and ATSI applicants are exempt from the service fee);
• Attend an audition; and
• Apply for this course through QTAC. Please see the QTAC website for more information.

When and where are the auditions and interviews being held?

• All auditions and interviews will be held in Brisbane at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus between 26 - 29 September 2011.
• Your interview and audition will be scheduled when you lodge your online application. Please note that the time and date of your audition cannot be changed except in exceptional circumstances.

What if I am unable to attend an audition/interview?

• If you are unable to attend an interview/audition you may apply by submitting the following along with your academic record, photo, portfolio and payment by 2 September 2011:
• a written statement (total 2 pages maximum) that addresses the following 4 points:
  • Your past experiences in music and sound activities
  • What sort of music you enjoy playing and listening to
  • Your ambitions during your studies and beyond
  • How studying Music and Sound at QUT will help you achieve your musical goals

Photocopy evidence of any musical achievements or any other information which will assist in gauging your musicianship level (e.g. copies of AMEB theory examination results, printed reviews of performances, commercial CDs etc.)

• A continuous and unedited video recording of you performing your audition piece(s) or a CD of your production pieces (or both). Refer to audition requirements for recorded and live performance.

Video must be submitted on CDR or DVD-R and must include a declaration of authenticity, details of date and place of performance and details of the role of applicant if the performance involves other participants. Refer to audition requirements for recorded and live performance. Please note that videos are not returned.

• You may be required for a phone interview to clarify any points in your written statement

Can I audition on more than one instrument?

Yes but only within the duration of your 10-minute audition.

Please Note: Registering with QUT for assessment of your portfolio is separate and in addition to listing the course as a preference with QTAC. To successfully apply for entry into this course, you are required to do both. The portfolio assessment is managed by QUT Creative Industries; however, all offers for the course will be made through QTAC in the early round in 15 December 2011 offer round.

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

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