Bachelor of Music MusB
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Introduction
The Bachelor of Music is a specialised three-year degree offered by the School of Music. The MusB allows students to focus on Music subjects, including performance and composition, with some flexibility to include courses from other degrees. Music graduates find employment as performers, composers, arrangers, technicians, teachers and administrators.
Features of the MusB at UC
- Stimulating three-year specialist degree with a wide range of options
- Balance of practical and academic courses
- Nationally and internationally respected staff of performers, composers and musicologists
- A rich music environment which includes over a hundred concerts per year
- Christchurch, as a major cultural centre, offers additional musical opportunities within the community
- Flexibility to build a double degree
- Students benefit from being exposed to a rich variety of creative arts within the Centre for Fine Arts, Music and Theatre
MusB pathways
The following pathways are available within a Bachelor of Music:
- Composition
- Digital Music, Sonic Art and Recording Technology
- Music Education
- Music History, Culture and Research
- Musicianship
- Performance (instrumental and vocal)
Recommended preparation
While entry to the Bachelor of Music (except for the Performance courses – see below) is open to all students with University Entrance, it is strongly recommended that you have NCEA Level 2 or 3 music, or the equivalent of these.
Entry to the Performance courses (piano, organ, orchestral instrument, recorder, brass band or voice) is limited. Places are awarded on the basis of a School of Music audition held in October 2010. Applications for the 2011 Performance courses close on 15 September 2010.
If you intend to study Composition for the MusB, you will need to have good musical literacy and notational skills. Some previous experience in the writing and performance of your own music is recommended.
If your technical background in music is not strong, or non-existent, there are courses in music listening and music theory available as part of the BA degree. These courses together provide a good basis if you wish to continue studies in Music in the MusB or the BA degrees and some are available in summer as well as through the academic year.
Pettman Junior Academy of Music
This Academy for young musicians provides pre-university training for talented performers who plan to follow a career in music. Entrance is by audition. For further details, please see the School of Music.
Degree structure
The Bachelor of Music requires a total of 360 points, of which at least 276 points must be in Music courses, including a basic core of compulsory courses at 100 and 200-level. At least 84 points must be from 300-level Music courses.
In the first year students take four compulsory courses (66 points) and 36 points towards their chosen pathway, and they can take another course or courses in Music or another subject (see diagram ).
Students have considerable flexibility in choosing their courses in the second and third years of the MusB degree.
Change to 15-point courses
The University of Canterbury is moving to a common course size of 15 points (or multiples of 15 points) for all undergraduate courses from 2011, with some courses in some subjects changing to the new points values in 2010. For more information refer to the Common course sizes webpage. Points values for all courses for 2010 are available from the Course Information System (CIS).
How does this affect the MusB?
All Music courses will be changing to the new points values in 2011. If you are including courses from other degrees in your MusB in 2010, you may be enrolling in courses with a mix of old and new point values as some non-Music courses will be changing to the new points values in 2010.
The MusB degree requirements will change to reflect the new course sizes in 2011. If you have started your MusB prior to 2011 and your programme of study will not match the new requirements exactly see a College of Arts Student Advisor.
Double degrees
It is possible to combine the study of a MusB with a Bachelor of Arts or other degree. The MusB and BA combination and some other double degrees can be completed in five years of full-time study. Students considering a double degree should seek advice from a College of Arts Student Advisor.
Further study
More detailed studies in the areas of Performance, Composition, Musicology, Musical Styles and Techniques, Music History, Music Education or Aesthetics can be taken in a one-year programme of study for a Bachelor of Music with Honours. A further year of study in Composition or Performance can lead to the Master of Music degree. If you have completed a research-based Bachelor of Music with Honours you can progress on to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
Career opportunities
Music graduates move on to a variety of vocations. Some pursue careers in music performance and others in education. Even graduates who have not majored in Music have found that the inclusion of some Music in their degrees has been useful for their future employment, especially in education.
Graduates of Music are found in a wide range of occupations including positions in orchestras, opera houses, conservatories, universities, schools and other education contexts. They are prominent in areas of musical leadership with community groups such as choirs and orchestras. Graduates also work in fields such as journalism, television and radio (planning as well as production), and publishing, and in technical areas including recording.
People with musical talents are in demand in the hi-tech areas of computer instruments and music technology, and are becoming increasingly in demand for various festivals and other arts organisations.
Contact
For more information email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone in NZ 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
For assistance with planning your programme of study contact a College of Arts Student Advisor (advancing students) or the Liaison Team (new students) or visit the Liaison Team’s course planning page (new students).