Melbourne Conservatorium launches new music curriculum

From 2016, students enrolled in the new Bachelor of Music program at the University of Melbourne will have the choice to specialise in any discipline, including Music Performance, Composition, Musicology/Ethnomusicology, Jazz and Improvisation, or Interactive Composition.

The Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (VCA & MCM) currently boasts the largest and most comprehensive range of music courses in Australia.  The new move to bring all music specialisations together under the one ‘Bachelor of Music’ umbrella will aid collaboration and allow music students the flexibility to focus their studies on the subjects that inspire them most.
Director of the MCM Professor Gary McPherson said the new curriculum would position the music programme at the University of Melbourne both nationally and internationally as a leading provider of quality training for future musicians.
“With better opportunities for cross-collaboration across all forms of music, this new mode of delivery will enable a more integrated and complimentary learning experience to emerging musicians,” Professor McPherson said.
“Jazz and Improvisation, and Interactive Composition are options currently offered through the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music) at the VCA.  By merging these two specialisations into the Bachelor of Music at the MCM, all students will be able to tailor their course offerings and focus on what really matters and interests them most,” Professor McPherson said.
The emphasis of Jazz and Improvisation, and Interactive Composition will continue to be on intensive studio-based and ensemble teaching, delivered by the same talented and committed staff on the Southbank campus.
New graduate study options will also be available in 2016, with an expanded range of specialisations in the Bachelor of Music (Honours), the addition of a Master of Music (Jazz and Interactive Composition), and a Master of Music (Interactive Composition).
“We are also working towards a long-term plan of consolidating the full music program south of the river and I soon hope to be able to share plans for a new Conservatorium building which is gaining momentum,” Professor McPherson said.
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