Bachelor of Music (BMUS) - BMus

This program is offered only to continuing students. No new admissions will be accepted. Students who are interested in this study area should consider the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) which will be offered from Semester 1, 2009.

Contact us

Current students

Telephone 1800 007 252 (within Australia freecall), +61 7 4631 2285 (from outside Australia), email usqassist@usq.edu.au or submit a question via USQAssist.

Program focus

This program is offered in all orchestral instruments, piano, pipe organ, classical guitar and voice. As of 2008, students will also be able to major in composition*. All students study in the areas of solo and ensemble performances or composition, music craft and music history, and can also specialise in instrumental/vocal teaching, concerto studies, musicology, accompaniment, chamber music or music administration. Students’ skills are further enhanced by opportunities to perform in concerts organised by the USQ Performance Centre. Students are able to take approved non-music courses during their program, if desired.

Career opportunities

Performing and/or teaching musician, teaching (following teacher training), musical entrepreneur, Accompanist, Composer

Program aims

The aims of the Bachelor of Music program are:

• to produce musicians who will have a specialised and a high standard of expertise in a particular aspect of practical music

• to develop in students, a wide basis of musical knowledge, understanding and experience through study of the literature of music and participation in group musical performance activities

• to develop in students, an awareness of the role which music can play in human expression through the study of a number of different but related areas of music

• to provide an opportunity for students to develop their particular vocational interests

• to provide a program of study that will enable students to display high levels of expressive skills, perceptual awareness and independence of imagination.

Program objectives

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Music program, the student will:

• demonstrate a high standard of musical performance as a soloist and in ensemble(s)

• possess a good understanding of the musical repertoire relevant to their chosen practical study

• demonstrate a high standard in music writing techniques and aural development

• possess a good understanding of the historical development of music and its place in societies

• demonstrate a high degree of ability in either musical performance or music teaching relating to their chosen instrument

• demonstrate, where relevant, significant ability in such related musical areas as composition, arranging, accompaniment, music administration and management, additional instruments, chamber music, and orchestral, choral or opera repertoire

• demonstrate an understanding of the skills, knowledge and values required by the University's core curriculum

• demonstrate considerable skills and understanding in oral, aural and written communication.

Admission requirements

Applicants will normally have completed year 12 or equivalent with a satisfactory achievement in English as well as the following:

• Completed at least 5th Grade Theory or Musicianship (AMEB) or equivalent

• At least HA for BSSSS Music for Year 11 and 12

• Approximately Grade 7 standard (AMEB) depending on instrument.

Entry is by audition (2 contrasting items), interview and aural and musical knowledge tests.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

Program fees

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Music program consists of 24 units, comprising a major study (Music), core studies and minor studies. Study is available in piano, pipe organ, most orchestral instruments and voice.

A summary of the units in each component of the program is as follows:

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program.

Core courses

All on-campus students must take the Faculty core courses

OR CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship , AND CSC1402 Foundation Computing AND THS1001 Theatre Production: Practice, Analysis and Criticism 1

All students must take the Faculty core coursesCMS1000 Communication and Scholarship , AND CSC1402 Foundation Computing AND an alternative Faculty of Arts core course from the list below:

• ANT1000 World Archaeology: An Introduction

• ANT1001 Introductory Anthropology

• CHI1000 Mandarin 1A

• CMS1010 Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

• CMS1011 Understanding Television

• EDU1141 Australian Indigenous Studies

• ENL1000 Introduction to Literature

• ENL1001 Australian Stories

• GER1001 Introductory German A

• HIS1003 World History Since 1500AD

• HIS1001 Introduction to Australian History

• IND1000 Indonesian 1A

• INR1000 International Relations in a Globalizing Era

• INR1001 Global Transitions and Human Security

• MUS1031 Music History 1

• THS1000 Introduction to History and Theory of Drama 1

• VIS1011 Foundation Studies in History of Art

• the course should be chosen from outside the student's majors or minor study.

Major studies

Students taking the Bachelor of Music degree specialise in Music. These core music studies include music history, performance, music craft, and music project units. Students choose concerto performance, studio teaching, genre studies, chamber music, accompanying or languages (for singers) as electives within the major in the second and third years of the program.

Most courses are available in the on-campus and external modes. The only exceptions are certain music elective courses. Performance and studio teaching courses available externally are restricted by instrument and location.

Minor studies

All Bachelor of Music students should take one of the music elective suites of courses unless they are contemplating secondary school teaching or other careers, in which case they will be able to take approved minor studies from the list found in the minor studies part of this Handbook.

Music Major recommended enrolment pattern

Notes

Instrument and location restrictions apply to performance and studio teaching courses taken externally.
For Music majors in the Bachelor of Arts see the Bachelor of Arts section of this Handbook.