Graduate Diploma of Music

Excelsia College > Study > School of Creative and Performing Arts > Graduate Diploma of Music

Duration: 1 years full-time/2 years part-time

Credit points: 48

Delivery: On Campus

Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP)

English: IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0

AQF: Level 8

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Course overview

The Graduate Diploma of Music will equip students to impact their professional environment with high creative, technical and academic standards, as well as diverse approaches to music performance, composition and conducting. The course is offered with three strands of specialisation: performance, contemporary composition, and arts management.

Three Strands

Classical

This strand provides musicians with the high-level training in performance, musicianship, ensemble work, musicality and breadth of musical knowledge required for a life in classical music. Students are exposed to a wide range of music across history as well as one-on-one tuition on their instrument with exceptional tutors. Students can continue their journey into the world of classical music.

Contemporary

This strand prepares musicians for a career in the ever-changing world of contemporary music. Artistic, technical, practical and musicianship skills are honed to create a well-rounded musician prepared for the diverse work lives led by industry professionals. Whether students want to pursue their dream as a singer/songwriter or start their own band, this strand will help to take them there.

Jazz

This strand offers multiple experiences in improvisation, ensemble work, arrangement, and performance designed to prepare students for the highly skilled world of jazz musicianship. Students are encouraged to partake in multiple performance opportunities and workshops to help them think on their feet and engage with the dynamics of the jazz ethos.

What do our students say?

‘Studying the Bachelor of Music at Excelsia College has taught me many things about myself as a person, artist and student. The classes allow me to expand my musical knowledge and to gain more experience and wisdom from the excellent tutors that help encourage and push me to the best of my abilities. Studying music here has helped boost my confidence as a performer in the most humbling way, and also allows my faith as a Christian to not be compromised but encouraged to use it, to engage with my art.’

Janelle Magtibay

Bachelor of Music alumnus

Course program

Units

Full time = 2 units of study, Part-time = One unit of study per semester

Year 1

Composition I

Composition II

Elective I

Elective II

Year 2 (Master of Music Only)

One of Media/Film or Screen Analysis units (see electives)

Composition III

Research Methods

Research Project

Electives:

MUMC551 Music Pedagogy
MUMC524 Music and Media
MUMC525 Music and Moving Image
MUMC526 Screen Music Analysis
MUMC527 Music Industries Overview
MUMC511 Performance I and/or MUMC512 Perf II
MUMC529 Music in Worship

For detailed descriptions of course units, please download the Music brochure.

Academic staff for music

Head of Creative and Performing Arts

Dr Lotte Latukefu

Music Program Director

Dr Christine Carroll

Tutor, Classical Piano

Ludmila Beliavskaia

Lecturer, Large Ensemble (Choral), Musical Direction
Tutor, Conductor

Dr Sadaharu Muramatsu

Entry requirements

Educational prerequesites

Successful completion of an accredited undergraduate degree in music or discipline appropriate to chosen focus area.

Artistic and academic skill assessment

Performance focus

Candidates must demonstrate advanced technique in their chosen instrument (including conducting) by means of an audition. This audition will be benchmarked against a cross-section of audition standards from at least three other equivalent level tertiary institutions. Applicants should be prepared to:

• present three contrasting pieces that demonstrate high level of interpretation and technique

• present a portfolio of previous performance experience which may include CD and DVD recordings.

Contemporary composition focus

Candidates applying to undertake the Contemporary Composition focus, or any part thereof, should be prepared to:

• present a portfolio or recordings of original compositions for diverse instrumentation demonstrating a grasp of various compositional techniques (with scores and CD or DVD, plus written notes).

• Discuss their portfolio with the admissions panel

International students

In addition to meeting the educational, artistic and academic prerequisites above, international applicants who have not completed an educational qualification in English have to provide proof of proficiency in English through internationally recognised tests as IELTS, or through satisfactory completion of an approved course at one of the College’s partner language colleges.Overseas students applying for admission to Excelsia College courses must have reached the age of 18 years by the commencement of their studies. Excelsia College will not admit overseas students who have not yet reached 18 years of age.

Overseas students applying for admission to Excelsia College courses must have reached the age of 18 years by the commencement of their studies. Excelsia College will not admit overseas students who have not yet reached 18 years of age.

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.