Students learn in a professional music industry environment, using state-of-the art facilities and study with lecturers who are all practising musicians with strong industry links. During the course performance students hone their practical musical and musicianship skills while developing extensive knowledge across a range of contemporary music-making practices.
Many students perform at North Coast entertainment venues or form bands and have the opportunity to regularly use the professional standard studio and performance space Studio One29, in the contemporary music building, for rehearsal and performance. Graduates from the course are well equipped to pursue careers as performers, songwriters, composers, arrangers, producers, engineers, and music educators.
Situated in a region with vibrant creative industries, students benefit from numerous high profile music events such as Splendour in the Grass and Byron Bay Bluesfest.
During first year, students learn about contemporary music theory and styles, the practice of music, music technology and the internet, songwriting and musicianship. They then select two majors from the following to specialise in their areas of interest.
Performance enables specialisation in the student’s chosen instrument (guitar, bass, keyboards, voice or drums). Practical tuition is provided through individual lessons and group workshops. These intensive technical music study sessions are supported by an ensemble performance program that includes a wide range of contemporary music repertoire. Entry to the performance major is by audition during the first year of study, with students commencing the major in the second year.
Industry and Audio Production prepares students for working professionally in the music industry and enables students to train for a portfolio career that encompasses composition and music production as well as practical music. Other areas of specialised study include conducting business in the music industry, marketing musical products and managing a career as an independent musician.
Music Education provides training for students who are pursuing a career in music teaching. Areas of study include Western art music, ensemble direction and arranging, music theory, musicianship and practical music. These units provide vocational skills specifically required for secondary music teaching and also essential for teaching music in other contexts.
Please note: Entry to the performance major is by audition during the first year of study, with students commencing the major in the second year.
Assessment methods may include essays, written exams, reading/listening/practice logbooks, aural exams and assignments, technical and technique tests, music theory exams and assignments, performance exams, music business projects, composition and recording portfolios and tutorial presentations.
Students undertake professional placements at major national and international venues and with music organisations. Public performances are a major part of the assessment process and students have opportunities to perform at North Coast entertainment venues or form bands, taking advantage of the rich music environment throughout the region.
Graduates can become members of the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS), International Association for the Study of Popular Music, and the International Society for Music Education.
two (2) majors in Part B of the Schedule of Units noting that the Performance Major has a pre-requisite of demonstration of aptitude through an Audition prior to enrolment in units in the Performance Major.
To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Contemporary Music a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
Candidates who can demonstrate artistic or academic expertise at a professional level in any approved area of the award course may be granted advanced standing for up to 12 units from Parts A or B, provided that except in special circumstances, such artistic expertise has been demonstrated within seven (7) years prior to admission of candidature.
Note 1: Entry into the Performance major is by selection. Students enrolled in MUS10502 Music Practice II unit are required to nominate by submitting the MPII Performance Major nomination form, available through MySCU Unit Learning Site, to the unit assessor at the commencement of session 2. The notification of a placement in the Performance major will take place directly after the final grades are published for session 2. Students will be advised of the outcome to their SCU email account. Students admitted to the combined Music/Education degree can only apply for entry if they are undertaking Music as the ONLY teaching area. Students who are undertaking two  teaching areas are not eligible to nominate. Students in the combined Music/Law degree are not eligible to nominate.
Note 3: For Industry and Audio Production/Music Education major combination — an extra option unit is added to Music Education major based on duplicate core unit MUS10548 Sound, Beats and the Home Studio — this unit is recognised towards the Industry and Audio Production major.