Stream

Music Inquiry - MUSCF13459

Stream Summary

Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science

School: School of the Arts and Media

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Program: 3459 - Music / Engineering

Award(s):

Bachelor of Music (Major)

View stream information for previous years

Stream Outline

Music Inquiry enables students to develop excellence in a comprehensive range of ensemble practices, theoretical and critical subjects, music from various styles, genres and cultures as preparation for professional work in areas as diverse as music performance, arranging and composition, music studio teaching, practice-based research, broadcasting and recording, music journalism, and arts administration. Graduates may also pursue further qualifications in music education.

This course of study offers extensive opportunities for developing musicianship, critical skills, theoretical knowledge, and musical creativity. Practical skills are largely developed through the Performance Laboratory strand, which embraces performance ensemble and concert practice. Performance Laboratory supports a variety of large and small, Western and Non-Western music ensembles, which present technical and aesthetic challenges and extend musical, cultural and social competencies.

The inquiry into music of diverse kinds is developed through various core courses in musicology, musicianship and performance as well as, a Professional Practice course, prescribed stream electives and free music electives. Under individual guidance, Directed Study encourages curiosity, initiative and life-long learning through the design and completion of a practice-led or community-based project.

This Stream offers intensive pre-professional training in historical musicology, ethnomusicology or the psychology of music.

Graduate Attributes

At the end of the stream, students should have acquired all of the following graduate attributes:
  1. The skills involved in scholarly enquiry, such as information literacy, critical analysis, and writing.
  2. An in-depth engagement with discipline-specific knowledge, such as musicological theory and method, instrumental or vocal performance, score reading and musical transcription, inner hearing, repertoire knowledge and compositional style.
  3. Engagement with music in its interdisciplinary context through the study of music history, music ethnography/anthropology, and music technology.
  4. Capacity for analytical and critical thinking and for problem-solving through musicological studies and academic tasks involving theoretical issues.
  5. Information literacy - the skills to locate, evaluate and use relevant information
  6. The capacity for enterprise, initiative and creativity, developed primarily through opportunities for performing and/or composing and being involved in concert organizing and musical leadership.
  7. An appreciation of, and respect for, diversity through participation in and study of diverse musical practices and thinking.
  8. High levels of oral and written communication skills, supported with discipline-based forms of communication such as scores, music performance and recordings.
  9. Skills required for collaboration and contribution to the international community are developed through individual instrumental or vocal performance, composition, ensemble performances and the study of diverse musical styles and practices.
  10. Respect for ethical practice and social responsibility are fostered through links with the music industry and music communities and discussions of professional practices in theory and practice alike.
  11. Identify and formulate solutions to musicological problems with intellectual independence.
  12. An ability to engage in performance in diverse musical contexts through the study of music history and ethnomusicological case studies.

Stream Structure

The Music Inquiry Stream comprises of 144 uoc as follows:

Level 1

Core

Level 2

Core

Stream Gateway
  • MUSC2804 Investigating Music (6 UOC)

Level 3

Core
  • MUSC3701 Performance Laboratory 5 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3702 Performance Laboratory 6 (6 UOC)

Stream Courses (12 UOC)
  • MUSC3802 Musical Analysis (6 UOC)
  • 6 UOC selected from Music Electives list

Level 4 (Pass)

Core
  • MUSC4701 Performance Laboratory 7 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4702 Performance Laboratory 8 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4XXX Research-based Music Course (6 UOC)
  • MUSC4XXX Practice-based Music Course (6 UOC)
  • MUSC2604 Music History and Culture 1 (6 UOC)
  • MUSC3601 Music History and Culture 2 (6 UOC)

Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC)
Studying Music at UNSW

Study Levels

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