Master of Music Studies (Composition)
Composition is at the centre of new knowledge creation in music.
The Master of Music Studies (Composition) is a three-semester coursework degree that focusses on the acquisition of high-level composition technique. It provides the opportunity for those interested in composition, or with a background in composition, to develop their compositional style, technique and ideas within a rigorous musical environment.
The Master of Music Studies degree is based entirely upon coursework components that enable students to gain practical skills in composition. Students have weekly composition lessons with a tutor and will take part in a specific composition class geared towards Master of Music Studies (Composition) enrolled students.
Composition skills that students may acquire in this degree include the areas of compositional style, instrumentation, technology, performance genres and technique.
The Master of Music Studies also provides for the acquisition of skills useful to life as a professional composer, such as conducting, sound recording, research skills and concert curation. Students enrolled in the Master of Music Studies work weekly with student performers in the first two semesters, allowing them to try out new ideas and hear them immediately translated into sound.
There are no genre restrictions or guidelines as to music that students may create in this degree: this is negotiated between each student and their tutor. High level notation and music theory skills are strongly recommended.
In contrast to the Master of Music (Composition) degree, composers in the Master of Music Studies degree are not required to write a thesis or dissertation. The Master of Music Studies (Composition) degree contains a greater degree of practical coursework components specifically relating to composition.
Students who successfully complete a Master of Music Studies (Composition) degree may apply for entry into the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in composition and creative work.
Students may opt in their fourth full-time semester of the degree to apply for an internship as a professional composer.
Language requirements for international candidates
An IELTS level of 6.5 with no component below 6.0 is required for entry to this degree.
Course structure
This degree is structured around a mandatory 72 credit point (3 full time semesters or up to 6 part time semesters) with an optional 24 credit point further specialisation in the form of a Composition Internship.
Typical enrolment pattern
The following table shows a typical full-time enrolment.
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
---|---|---|---|
CMPN5121 Composition Practice 1 | 12 | CMPN5122 Composition Practice 2 | 12 |
CMPN5601 Composition Skills 1 | 6 | CMPN5602 Composition Skills 2 | 6 |
MCGY5610 Research Skills for Music Performance | 6 | Elective | 6 |
24 | 24 |
Semester 3 | OPTIONAL - Semester 4 (Internship) | ||
---|---|---|---|
CMPN5123 Composition Practice 3 | 12 | CMPN5240 Composition Internship | 24 |
Elective | 6 | ||
Elective | 6 | ||
24 | 24 |
Master of Music Studies (Composition)
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 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, 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. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: sydney.edu.au/policies.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
Code |
Course and stream title |
---|---|
MAMUSCPT-01 |
Master of Music Studies (Composition) |
MAMUSCPT-02 |
Master of Music Studies (Composition) (Internship) |