Bachelor of Music

Diploma in Music Practical (DipMus(Prac))

Recognising that not all students interested in musical study wish to commit themselves to professional training in a Bachelor of Music degree, the University of Melbourne offers a Diploma in Music (Practical).

The new generation Diploma in Music (Practical) is studied concurrently with a new generation undergraduate degree - Arts, Science, Commerce, Biomedicine or Environments - and provides University of Melbourne students the opportunity to engage in one-to-one instrumental and vocal tuition. The Diploma has been specially structured over a 3-year time frame to allow for concurrent completion of both Bachelor and Diploma courses.

The Diploma comprises a three-year sequence of practical, ensemble and elective subjects, studied alongside Bachelor of Music students, giving you the opportunity to build valuable friendships and networks in a challenging musical environment. At the conclusion of the course, you should have acquired advanced practical abilities that compare with the end of the second year of the Bachelor of Music course. Through elective subjects, you should also have a basic understanding of the historical and theoretical knowledge that forms part of advanced musical training.

Applications for entry into the Diploma should be made directly to the Faculty of Music upon acceptance into your main degree program. Admission is by audition, and you are asked to prepare a 15-minute program of 2-3 contrasting works chosen from the classical repertoire (not contemporary popular or jazz). A sample program might include works from the Baroque, Romantic and Twentieth Century repertoires. You may also be asked to demonstrate some technical work. The audition panel will not hear all of the program and will make its own selection from the works prepared.

Course structure

The Diploma consists of a sequence of 6 Music Performance subjects over three years, a set of music skills electives, which include ensemble and chamber music subjects, and 2 academic elective subjects.

To allow for concurrent completion with a New Generation undergraduate degree, the Diploma in Music (Practical) has been structured to allow some subjects to be taken within the breadth component of your main degree. These subjects count towards both the Bachelor and Diploma courses.

Diploma students are also permitted to enrol beyond the standard 50 point semester load with subjects from the practical component of the course. This extra load has minimal impact on your overall commitments each semester as the contact hours and assessment requirements have been designed in the context of this course structure.

Example course structure

David is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Creative Writing plus a Diploma in Music (Practical) on piano. He is also interested in psychology and has chosen Breadth subjects in this area, as well as Music. His sample course plan is:

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3
Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1
Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice Creative Non-Fiction Thinking Writing
Homer to Hollywood (core foundational subject) Experimental Fiction Novels
Self and Other (core foundational subject) Modern Political Thought Contemporary Cultural Studies
Breadth: Music Language Studies 1: The Diatonic World* Breadth: Mind, Brain & Behaviour 1 Breadth: Music and Film
Music Performance 1D Music Performance 3D Music Performance 5D
The Art of Piano Teaching Piano Duo and Duet Chamber Music
Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2
Culture, Media and Everyday Life Writing for Real Writing for Theatre
Australian Politics Principles of Editing and Publishing Gender Sexuality and Culture
Famine in the Modern World Public Policy Making Encounters with Writing (capstone subject)
Breadth: Medieval and Early Modern Music* Breadth: Cognitive Psychology Breadth: Romantic Piano Music
Music Performance 2 Music Performance 4D Music Performance 6D
Famous Opera Choruses Piano Duo and Duet Chamber Music

* 25 points of academic subjects (2 x 12.5 pts) count towards both the Bachelor and Diploma courses. These 25 points can be taken in any semester, however must be completed no later than the end of year 2.

Music Skills Elective options include:

Academic Elective options include:

(Please note: not all subjects will be offered each year)

 

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