DIPLOMA OF MUSIC

The Diploma of Music is a second year of study in which students consolidate and develop their technical and creative skills, their artistic identity, and their ability to present and promote themselves in the music industry. Students have access to the NRCACʼs iMac computer lab, where they learn to use music software and develop their compositional, arrangement and production skills. They also learn about online marketing, self-promotion and event management, while continuing to develop and refine their instrumental/vocal and performance skills.

Diploma students will work together in ensemble to write, perform and record original music, as well as gaining valuable engineering experience in the studio assisting during Certificate students’ recording sessions. The Diploma course is designed to produce self-motivated and self-sufficient graduates, with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to successfully pursue a career in music.

Course Aims

This course is designed to enable students to:

• Develop instrumental or vocal techniques relevant to contemporary music performance practice.
• Develop their artistic expression.
• Deepen their theoretical understandings to enhance their work as contemporary music performers, songwriters and composers.
• Develop music literacy skills to facilitate the development of music reading, writing and composition skills.
• Further their understanding of the history and development of contemporary music through the analysis of the styles and structures of contemporary music repertoire.
• Deepen their understanding of and engagement with the music industry.
• Gain the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and promote themselves and their own artistic work.
• Work in and lead a team to create, promote and manage music events.
• Develop performance and movement skills, and awareness of occupational health and safety issues.
• Foster a creative approach to music making.
• Gain a theoretical and practical understanding of music technology applications and studio processes, techniques and technologies.
• Lead and cooperate with other musicians in group performances.
• Perform as a soloist.
• Develop and apply a set of criteria for the critical assessment of performance.
• Strive for excellence.

Subjects & Units Of Competency

The Diploma course follows on from the Certificate IV course. To enter directly into the Diploma year, applicants must have a Certificate IV in Music from another institution, or demonstrate comparable skills and knowledge.

The 16 units from the Music Training Package (CUS09) currently delivered in the Diploma have been organised into a classroom-based training program which is comprised of four program areas; Music Composition, Performance, Technology and Enterprise. Each of these program areas are divided into subject areas, delivered as separate classes, in which units of competency are delivered and assessed as follows:

Download a Course Information Brochure

Diploma of Music Course Information

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