Compulsory courses
Performance 1A (15 credits)
Create, interpret and evaluate original musical works and/or arrangements in a live performance environment. The course will cover compositional form and structure; arrangement techniques; self-management; communication; stage planning; technical riders; live sound mixing; PA system set up and pack down; health and safety regulations; stage performance; and audience engagement.
Composition and Technology 1A (15 credits)
Create, develop and critique original musical works and/or arrangements using a wide range of music technology equipment and processes. The course will cover a variety of composition techniques and processes; application of software and hardware audio effects; sampling acoustic instruments; sampling loops; research of musical styles and sounds; arranging musical works; writing and arranging music for film; and writing and arranging music for advertising.
Music Theory (15 credits)
Learn to define and contrast the use of music theory in a practical, written and aural environment. The course will cover exploring composers and their compositions; chord construction; chord-scale relationships; chord progression; harmonic analysis; chord substitution; interval recognition; rhythmic dictation; and melodic dictation.
Performance 1B (15 credits)
Create, interpret and evaluate original musical works and/or arrangements in a live performance environment. The course will expand on your skills and help you to challenge conventions and discover new possibilities across a range of contexts. You'll create, arrange and evaluate musical compositions for a live performance; demonstrate leadership for a solo artist, band or ensemble; organise and evaluate a live performance for a solo artist or band/ensemble; and record and evaluate a live performance using multitrack recording hardware and software.
Composition and Technology 1B (15 credits)
Create, develop and critique original musical works and/or arrangements using a wide range or music technology equipment and processes. The course covers exploring a variety of composition techniques and processes; evaluatioin of software and hardware audio efects; critical analysis of a song; recording and production techniques; and remixing and structural arrangement of songs.
Creative Industries (30 credits)
Develop creative processes, implement a creative project and determine its viability. The course will cover marketing music; researching the viability of a business; small business finances; small business management; creative processes; self-management; communications; understanding of legal requirements for events; health and safety for public events; financial self-management; goal setting; and small business structures.
Elective courses (choose one)
Knowledge Transfer (15 credits)
Develop and analyse the skills and framework for teaching music as a private tutor. The course will cover time management; lesson planning and development; learning style analysis; basic teaching pedagogy; communication in teaching; and creation of resources for a variety of learning styles.
Recording (15 credits)
Develop skills and analyse various sound recording techniques in the recording studio. The course will cover application of advanced studio setup; organising studio time and musicians; detailed audio mixing techniques; producing songs for commercial release; basic mastering techniques; computer based file management; and studio maintenance.
Design Media (15 credits)
Examine the application and effectiveness of digital marketing and design in the context of the New Zealand music industry. The course will cover design software; design principle basics; conceptual development; target markets; social media for business; and marketing basics.