Music Inquiry offers intensive pre-professional training in historical musicology, ethnomusicology, the psychology of music, or performance studies in music.

The stream is structured around three core courses. The course Investigating Music offers a gateway into the Stream by using a range of approaches, methods and theories to examine music: biographical study, manuscript study, primary source study, analysis, organology and iconography, criticism, aesthetics, hermeneutics, reception history, performance studies, transcription, music psychology and ethnography. MusiCultures examines the nature of music as “tradition”, investigating discourses, values and uses of music that endure or change at a different rate and in different ways from musical forms themselves. Music Analysis examines and applies a range of strategies for analyzing a broad range of music. Each strategy will begin with a problem: of technique, of experience, of description.

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

The Music Inquiry Stream is one of four streams within the Bachelor of Music (UNSW BMus) four-year, full time degree.

The Music Inquiry Stream comprises of 18 UOC as follows: