Bachelor of Music (Worship)
Duration: 3 years full-time/6 years part-time
Credit Points: 144 credit points
CRICOS CODE: 109057M
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic students (FEE-HELP available) and international students
English: IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
Tuition Fee for international students: $10,517 semester/$63,100 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 7
Associate Degree of Music (Worship)
Duration: 2 years full-time/4 years part-time
Credit Points: 96 credit points
CRICOS CODE: 109435A
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic students (FEE-HELP available) and international students
English: IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
Tuition Fee for international students: $10,545.75 semester/$42,183 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 6
Enquiry form
Course overview
The Bachelor of Music (Worship) degree is a new course embedded within the existing Bachelor of Music (see course page for further details). Students gain the technical, artistic and analytical training required to become professional musicians, with the course diverging in its emphasis on theological preparation for a future in Christian ministry. The addition of specific units such as Worship Music in Practice, Worship Music Placement and Theology of Worship equip students with a deeper understanding of biblical directives and theological approaches to worship through music and how to apply this in diverse church settings. Students explore central themes underpinning personal and corporate worship expression in both Old and New Testament. These include God as Creator and Father, tabernacle/temple worship, the figure of King David, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the church.
Students also apply learnings into music production with a live/digital launch of an EP of original worship music relevant to individual and congregational worship contexts. This industry relevant training encompasses all aspects of pre- and post-production.
Additionally, the course features placement within a congregational setting* under the mentorship of college staff and a church ministry team. Students are given a context for mentoring, practical skill development, ensemble skills, planning, song writing and worship leading, linking with existing or new campus ministry initiatives at Excelsia College, such as Gathering and/or Praise and Worship meetings and events. Graduates will complete the course, prepared to lead worship ministry teams both on campus and in local churches.
* Broader worship music settings available
Where this will take me
The Bachelor of Music (Worship) prepares students for future roles in music & Christian ministry contexts. It is grounded in the understanding that professional musicians will commonly engage in ‘portfolio’ careers requiring versatile, flexible, and adaptable skills including multi-instrumental performing, composing, arranging, producing, ensemble directing, teaching, and researching. Future graduates are expected to secure employment as:
- Worship music leaders
- Worship music songwriters
- Performers (accompanists, chamber musicians, band members, session musicians)
- Composers and arrangers
- Conductors and musical directors (in school and church settings)
- Audio engineers (studio and live sound)
- Teachers (in both private and co-curricular school settings)
- Music critics, journalists and publicists
Year 1 units
Y1 Semester 1
Performance I
Large Ensemble Studies I
Small Ensemble Studies I
Harmony and Aural I
Contemporary & Popular Music History
Functional Keyboard
Formation I (Creative Arts)
Y1 Semester 2
Performance II
Large Ensemble Studies II
Harmony and Aural II
Early Music History
Production and Live Audio
Formation II (Creative Arts)
Year 2 units
Y2 Semester 1
Worship Music in Practice I
Harmony & Aural III
Romantics & Modernists
Digital Music Production
Elective x 1
Y2 Semester 2
Worship Music in Practice II
Large Ensemble III
Harmony & Aural IV
Theology of Worship
Year 3 units
Y3 Semester 1
Worship Music Placement I
Large Ensemble Studies IV
Music Direction I
Ethnomusicology
Advanced Harmony
Elective x 1
Y3 Semester 2
Worship Music Placement II
Small Ensemble II
Musical Direction II
Formation IV
Elective x 1
Elective units
Electives Units
Second Instrument Study
Song Writing
Small Ensemble Studies
Large Ensemble Studies
Business in the Performing Arts
Music Pedagogy
For detailed descriptions of course units, please download the Music brochure.
Academic staff for music
Lecturer, Large Ensemble (Choral), Musical Direction
Tutor, Conductor
Dr Sadaharu Muramatsu
Artistic and academic skill assessment
Audition:
Applicant should prepare to present 2 pieces demonstrating their skill on their major instrument (including voice).
Interview:
Conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous musical experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
Musical knowledge:
In the audition students will be assessed on their current musical knowledge and this will determine whether they go into a beginner or advanced strand in theory units.
Australian applicants with recent secondary education (school leavers)
Educational Prerequisites
- NSW Higher School Certificate or its interstate or overseas equivalent, or
- Attainment of tertiary qualification, or satisfactory completion of at least one year’s full-time load in a tertiary course.
Other applicants
Applicants with work and life experience
Applicants must demonstrate that they have been involved in some form of high level music making for at least 3 years. This could include professional music making, community music making, worship leading.
- Audition: Applicant should prepare to present (2) pieces demonstrating their skill on their major instrument (including voice).
- Interview: conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous musical experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
- Musical knowledge: In the audition students will be assessed on their current musical knowledge and this will determine whether they go into a beginner or advanced stream in theory units.
Applicants with higher education
- Audition: Applicant should prepare to present (2) pieces demonstrating their skill on their major instrument (including voice).
- Interview: conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous musical experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
- Musical knowledge: In the audition students will be assessed on their current musical knowledge and this will determine whether they go into a beginner or advanced stream in theory units.
Applicants with VET or TAFE studies
- Audition: Applicant should prepare to present (2) pieces demonstrating their skill on their major instrument (including voice).
- Interview: conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous musical experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
- Musical knowledge: In the audition students will be assessed on their current musical knowledge and this will determine whether they go into a beginner or advanced stream in theory units.
Credit and recognition of prior learning (RPL)
If the applicant is successful they will be issued an offer letter and a written agreement. Students will need to respond to the offer within 6 weeks. This is done online and a confirmation will be emailed back to the applicant. At this point, applicants are welcome to apply for Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you are eligible for credit or RPL, you may be exempt from completing some units and you may be able to finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
Please refer to the Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy reference.
Download the Student Selection and Admission Policy and Procedure.
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