University of Sydney Handbooks - 2012 Archive

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Graduate Diploma (Opera) | Master of Music Studies (Opera)

The study of opera within the Master of Music Studies and Graduate Diploma (Opera) is designed to meet the needs of graduate opera students who wish to extend their technical knowledge of the repertoire and performance practice. It is intended for graduates and professional singers who wish to enhance the skills required on the opera and music theatre stage.

Language requirements for international candidates

An IELTS level of 7.0 with no component below 6.5 is required for entry to these degrees.

Course structure

These courses aim to develop and refine the technical and interpretive qualities of the student's voice as an operatic instrument with emphasis on developing self-sufficiency in role selection, concert repertoire and program building.

It includes a focus on text-related matters in various kinds of vocal music to foster the development of skills as an interpreter in all the major operatic languages. Candidates also study language structure, poetry, and operatic text within a cultural and historical context and will focus on increasing awareness of the word/music relationship.

The degrees include a series of master classes, ensemble rehearsals, workshops and concert and/or staged performances to develop skills as an operatic performer, with particular emphasis on character and role building, movement and gesture, the understanding of emotional context and general communication skills.

The Opera Performance Portfolio units in the master's degree require selection of particular aspects of operatic specialisation for an extensive exploration. This investigation may focus on the historical, cultural, and political contexts of the operas or could explore unifying thematic or stylistic elements of selected roles. The final presentation of all the roles studied is accompanied by a written reflective element. The program culminates in the final performance taking place in the 4th semester (VSAO6001).

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Music (Opera) may apply for admission to the Master of Music Studies (Opera) at the end of Semester Two if they wish to continue, but do not take out the Graduate Diploma.

Typical enrolment patterns

These programs are normally available only for full-time study. The following tables show the normal full-time enrolment pattern for the Master of Music Studies and Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera).

Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera)
Semester 1 Semester 2

VSAO5006 Principal Study (Opera) 1
VSAO5030 Language and Interpretation 1
VSAO5008 Graduate Production 1
VSAO5004 Opera Performance Repertoire 1

 VSAO5007 Principal Study (Opera) 2
VSAO5031 Language and Interpretation 2
VSAO5009 Graduate Production 2
VSAO5005 Opera Performance Repertoire 2
Master of Music Studies (Opera)
Semester 1 Semester 2

VSAO5006 Principal Study (Opera) 1
VSAO5030 Language and Interpretation 1
VSAO5008 Graduate Production 1
VSAO5004 Opera Performance Repertoire 1

 VSAO5007 Principal Study (Opera) 2
VSAO5031 Language and Interpretation 2
VSAO5009 Graduate Production 2
VSAO5005 Opera Performance Repertoire 2
Semester 3 Semester 4

VSAO6000 Principal Study (Opera) 3
VSAO6004 Language and Interpretation 3
VSAO6002 Graduate Production 3
VSAO6006 Opera Performance Portfolio 1

 VSAO6001 Principal Study (Opera) 4
VSAO6005 Language and Interpretation 4
VSAO6003 Graduate Production 4
VSAO6007 Opera Performance Portfolio 2
 

Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera)

Master of Music Studies (Opera)


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course and stream title

QF005

Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera)

QC033

Master of Music Studies (Opera)

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for these courses is normally full time. Part time study may be permitted upon successful application.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)
The embedded courses in this sequence are:
(a)
the Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera)
(b)
the Master of Music Studies (Opera)
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.

5 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera) requires:
(a)
a bachelor's degree of higher award from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(b)
a graduate certificate from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(c)
completion of the requirements of an embedded graduate certificate in an appropriate discipline, as determined by the faculty, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(d)
in exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award; and
(e)
successful completion of an audition and an interview.
(3)
Admission to the Master of Music Studies (Opera) requires:
(a)
a master's degree in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(b)
a pass bachelor's degree with a credit average, or an honours bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(c)
an award of graduate diploma from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(d)
completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate diploma in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; and
(e)
successful completion of an audition and an interview.

6 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Table for Music Studies (Opera).
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera) a candidate must complete 48 credit points of prescribed core units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Music Studies (Opera) a candidate must complete 96 credit points, including:
(a)
Core advanced units of study; and
(b)
A capstone experience as described in the handbook.
(c)
Candidates may also apply to undertake an optional 12 credit points of research as part of their degree.

7 Examination

For each semester of the degree the Faculty shall appoint an examination panel comprising three members (excluding the Principal Study teacher) to assess the candidate's performance in principal study units.

8 Course Transfer

A candidate for the master's degree may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

9 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and candidates who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.

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