Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music) (B-FACONTMU)
Bachelors DegreeYear: 2018 Delivered: On Campus
About this course
Coordinator
Mark Pollard (Coordinator of Interactive Composition)
pollardm@unimelb.edu.au
Robert Vincs (Coordinator of Jazz and Improvisation)
Contact
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Contact Stop 1
Overview
| Award title | Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music) |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2018 |
| CRICOS code | 075490A |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Undergraduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 7 |
| Credit points | 300 credit points |
| Duration | 36 months full-time |
**The B-FACONTMU program is now a Bachelor of Music. Information listed below only applies to students who commenced the degree Prior to 2016**
The Bachelor of Fine Arts is a new three-year degree which offers immersive and experiential practice-based studio studies in seven areas of specialisation (Visual Art, Film and Television, Contemporary Music, Music Theatre, Theatre Practice, Dance and Production). It features an intense and student-centred approach to skills training, to create self-confident and autonomous arts practitioners with the capacity to build sustainable careers in an international context. Each specialisation features regular opportunities for exhibition, production and performance, and culminates in a capstone experience, which prepares students for professional work and further research. Critical studies build knowledge of the context of a student’s core discipline along with academic literacy, and complementary studies offer a choice of electives in the visual and performing arts, or from other areas of study within the University of Melbourne. The degree is designed to have international currency and to assist the VCA to raise its international profile.
Entry requirements
1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:
- successful completion of the VCE (or an equivalent qualification) with a study score of at least 25 in Units 3 and 4 English/English Language/Literature, or a study score of at least 30 in Units 3 and 4 ESL. Minimum ATAR is not applicable.
- performance in an audition, test, interview, workshop, portfolio or folio presentation.
2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
The BFA is designed to train highly skilled arts practitioners who can work independently or in ensemble in a wide range of careers and performance or production opportunities. They will be well-trained and knowledgeable in their own and related fields, and committed to continuous learning and production in their discipline; they will also have a local and international perspective on their own arts practice. As well as excellence in practising their own art form, BFA graduates will have good academic literacy skills in expression, argument and research and be proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies.
Generic skills
Artistically excellent:
- demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the national and international challenges for the professional artist/practitioner in the 21 Century
- have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of artistic practices and scholarship
- have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
- reach a high level of achievement in artistic practice, writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
- be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
Knowledgeable across disciplines:
- examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a range of disciplines
- expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
- have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
- have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
Leaders in communities:
- initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
- have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
- mentor future generations of learners
- engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
Attuned to cultural diversity:
- value different cultures and their cultural forms of practice
- be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
- have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
- respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Active global citizens:
- understand their relationship with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society
- accept social and civic responsibilities
- be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
- have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics.
Course structure
The course structure for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music) is outlined below.
Subject options
Jazz and Improvisation
First Year
Semester 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI10180 | Contextual Studies 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10181 | Ensemble Studies 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10182 | Individual Performance Studies 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
plus an elective (see below).
Semester 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI10192 | Ensemble Studies 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI10193 | Contextual Studies 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10197 | Individual Performance Studies 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
plus an elective (see below).
Second Year
Semester 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI20175 | Individual Performance Studies 3 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20176 | Ensemble Studies 3 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20177 | Contextual Studies 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Semester 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI20178 | Individual Performance Studies 4 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20179 | Ensemble Studies 4 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20180 | Contextual Studies 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Third Year
Semester 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI30223 | Contextual Studies 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30225 | Ensemble Studies 5 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI30227 | Individual Performance Studies 5 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Semester 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI30224 | Contextual Studies 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30226 | Ensemble Studies 6 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI30228 | Individual Performance Studies 6 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Interactive Composition
First Year
Semester 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI10180 | Contextual Studies 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10191 | Interactive Composition 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10195 | Music Making Laboratory 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Semester 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI10193 | Contextual Studies 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10194 | Interactive Composition 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10196 | Music Making Laboratory 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Second Year
Semester 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI20177 | Contextual Studies 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20181 | Interactive Composition 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20182 | Music Making Laboratory 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Semester 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI20180 | Contextual Studies 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20183 | Interactive Composition 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20184 | Music Making Laboratory 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Third Year
Semester 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI30223 | Contextual Studies 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30229 | Interactive Composition 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30231 | Music Making Laboratory 5 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Semester 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI30224 | Contextual Studies 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30230 | Interactive Composition 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30232 | Music Making Laboratory 6 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
Plus an elective (see below).
Electives
Students choose two electives per year from the list below. Students wishing to take subjects offered as breadth options on the Parkville campus should seek permission from the Course Coordinator.
Jazz and Improvisation Majors - Music Electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI10179 | Making Music For Film And Animation 1 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10183 | |||
| MUSI10184 | Pop Song Writing 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI10186 | |||
| MUSI10202 | Jazz: The Improvisatory Spirit | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10203 | |||
| MUSI10215 | Alexander Technique for Daily Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20165 | |||
| MUSI20167 | Creating Music For Advertising | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20168 | Glee Singing: The Power Of Pop Music |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20169 | Intimate Acts: Inside The 'Fourth Wall' | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20170 | |||
| MUSI20173 | The Art of Game Music | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20174 | The Laptop Recording Studio |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20186 | Music Theatre: Singing Sondheim | Summer Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20187 | Music Theatre: Singing the Golden Age | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20188 | |||
| MUSI20190 | Advanced Recording Studio Techniques | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20193 | |||
| MUSI20194 | Alexander Technique for Performance | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30233 | |||
| MUSI30236 | The Music Producer: From Brass to Beats | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30237 | Music Theatre: Singing Rock Musicals | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30238 | Advanced Harmonic and Rhythmic Studies | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30239 |
Interactive Composition Majors - Music Electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI10179 | Making Music For Film And Animation 1 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10183 | |||
| MUSI10184 | Pop Song Writing 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI10186 | |||
| MUSI10202 | Jazz: The Improvisatory Spirit | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MUSI10203 | |||
| MUSI10215 | Alexander Technique for Daily Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20167 | Creating Music For Advertising | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20168 | Glee Singing: The Power Of Pop Music |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20169 | Intimate Acts: Inside The 'Fourth Wall' | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20170 | |||
| MUSI20173 | The Art of Game Music | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20174 | The Laptop Recording Studio |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| MUSI20186 | Music Theatre: Singing Sondheim | Summer Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20187 | Music Theatre: Singing the Golden Age | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20188 | |||
| MUSI20190 | Advanced Recording Studio Techniques | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI20193 | |||
| MUSI20194 | Alexander Technique for Performance | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30233 | |||
| MUSI30236 | The Music Producer: From Brass to Beats | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30237 | Music Theatre: Singing Rock Musicals | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| MUSI30239 |
VCA Electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIND10003 | Ancient and Contemporary Indigenous Arts |
Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank)
July (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| CCDP10001 | Games & Playfulness | Not available in 2018 | 12.5 |
| DNCE10024 | |||
| DRAM10025 | Contemporary Performance Analysis | No longer available | |
| DRAM20021 | |||
| DRAM30020 | Acting for Camera | Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| FINA10035 | Still Life: Nature Morte | Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| FINA10036 | Life Drawing: The Body | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| FINA10037 | |||
| FINA20026 | Painting Techniques |
Summer Term (On Campus - Southbank)
February (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank)
July (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| FINA20033 | Introduction to Printmaking Processes |
Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank)
July (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| FINA20034 | |||
| FLTV10010 | Making Movies 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| FLTV10021 | Interactive Art Media 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| FLTV10022 | |||
| FLTV20005 | Making Movies 2 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| FLTV30013 | Making Movies 3 | Not available in 2018 | 12.5 |
| THTR10007 | The Actors Process | Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| THTR10019 | Clear Speech and Communication |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| THTR20022 | Improvisation: Text, Space and Action | Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| THTR20023 | The Artist's Toolbox |
Summer Term (On Campus - Southbank)
July (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| THTR20042 | Puppets as Storytellers | Summer Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| THTR20043 | Design and the Moving Image | June (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| THTR30039 | Understanding Masks | Winter Term (On Campus - Southbank) |
12.5 |
| UNIB10011 | The Secret Life of the Body 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Southbank)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
|
12.5 |
| UNIB20010 |
Note to students regarding subject enrolment:
If you are unable to enrol into your subjects via your Student Portal, please submit an online Enrolment Variation Form for Student Centre review.
The Enrolment Variation Form should only be used if you are unable to make the subject changes online via your Student Portal.
Last updated: 21 February 2025