Bachelor of Music (Music Composition)

Make music that lasts

Composition is a craft. From the music of Bach or Mozart to the films scores of Hans Zimmer, musical creations are some of humanity's greatest achievements.

Composers move, enchant and entertain. They conceive works of timeless beauty and reach audiences in ways words cannot.

Our Bachelor of Music (Music Composition) has both a strong focus on classical traditions and an acute ear of the demands of the 21st century composer. You will:

• learn a broad range of stylistic approaches for composing music
• develop your compositional 'voice' through one-on-one tuition, lectures and tutorials
• study the principles of musical structure, notation and text setting, melodic writing, harmonic and rhythmic invention, counterpoint, and instrumental colour and texture
• consider the practical and work-related sides of creative music making
• explore music aesthetics, media and technology.

We also provide opportunities for ensemble performance and collaboration in film, dance and theatre.

You might fill concert halls and opera houses with live audiences or release albums recorded from home. You could compose award-winning film scores or TV series. Perhaps you'll write for top-tier soloists or large-scale ballets.

• Develop your compositional 'voice' through 1-1 tuition
• Compose film scores, ads, TV series or video game soundtracks
• In partnership with the Australian String Quartet

A comprehensive study of the artistic, theoretical and practical dimensions of music composition is delivered in a variety of modes including individual tuition, lecture and tutorial. Students will study within a traditional framework of music composition including form, harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, notation and text setting, along with studies in aesthetics, contemporary media and music technology. Opportunities are provided for ensemble performance and interdisciplinary experience in the areas of film, dance and theatre.

Attention is given to the practical, vocational aspects of creative music making and the course seeks to develop composers who are technically well equipped in both traditional and modern compositional practice.

The composition program seeks to develop:

• a broad knowledge and appreciation of musical repertoire and an understanding of the essential stylistic features of a diverse range of musical genres focussing on the contemporary "classical" tradition;
• insight into contemporary aesthetic issues and an appreciation of the relationship of music to other art form;
• skills in creating original musical works demonstrating command of both traditional compositional craft and contemporary musical techniques and approaches;
• a high level of competence in the practical aspects of composition: notation; score presentation; use of instrumental and vocal resources; orchestration and music technology;
• an ability to communicate musical intentions clearly and effectively to performer;
• a capacity to imaginatively develop musical materials through a comprehensive study of the principles of musical structure, melodic writing, harmonic and rhythmic invention, counterpoint, instrumental colour and texture;
• the composer's personal voice and the ability to project an aesthetic idea clearly to an audience;
• understanding of the professional realities and expectations of a career in creative music-making.