phd music melbourne

Doctor of Philosophy - Fine Arts and Music

The university of melbourne.

Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution Level: CRICOS: 00116K

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music offers the PhD with expert supervision in Music Therapy, Music Performance, Composition, Music Psychology and Performance Science, Jazz and Improvisation, Interactive Composition, Musicology and Ethnomusicology.

Students are enrolled in the PhD Research subject for the duration of their candidature. At the completion of the course students submit their final project which can consist of a written thesis, or a combination of creative and written work, depending on the discipline area. In the case of Composition and Music Performance, the PhD thesis takes the form of a performance or composition folio and a dissertation of 20,000-25,000 words that addresses, elucidates and contextualises the creative work of the folio. Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Psychology and Performance Science, and Music Therapy PhDs take the form of a more traditional scholarly investigation leading to a thesis of approximately 80,000 words. For Jazz and Improvisation and Interactive Composition a PhD thesis may take the form of performance and/or corpus of creative work, plus a dissertation of 40,000-50,000 words.

• Creative Arts Therapies
• Music Psychology
• Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology
• Film and Television
• Indigenous Arts and Culture
• Music Theatre
• Social Practice and Community Engagement
• Theatre and Visual Art
• Composition
• Interactive Composition
• Jazz & Improvisation
• Music Performance

Standard entry requirements

• A four-year bachelors degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% in the final year subjects or (University of Melbourne) equivalent
• Or a masters degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study and achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% or (University of Melbourne) equivalent or A qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent
• And a research proposal (except for Composition applicants)
• A folio plan (in the discipline of composition)
• Referee reports (except for applicants who have graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last five years)
• The endorsement of a prospective supervisor.

Study information

Related courses.

Master of Human Resources and Law

University of newcastle.

Certificate IV in Aboriginal Performance - 10908NAT

Edith cowan university ecu.

Diploma of Arts Media and Communications

Macquarie university.

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws

James cook university jcu.

Diploma of Community Services - CHC52015

Melbourne city institute of education, bachelor of international studies, request information update, research officer.

Become a member

Already a member? Login Forgot password?

Join the conversation

Search universities.

• Universities in ACT
• Universities in NSW
• Universities in QLD
• Universities in SA and NT
• Universities in TAS
• Universities in VIC
• Universities in WA

Search TAFE Institutes

• TAFEs in ACT
• TAFEs in NSW
• TAFEs in QLD
• TAFEs in SA and NT
• TAFEs in TAS
• TAFEs in VIC
• TAFEs in WA

Search by Field of Work

• Architecture, Building and Planning
• Create Arts and Design
• Computing and ICT
• Engineering and Technical
• Health and Community Services
• Hospitality and Tourism

Handbook home

• Search the Handbook
• Undergraduate courses
• Graduate courses
• Research courses
• Undergraduate subjects
• Graduate subjects
• Research subjects
• Breadth Tracks
• CAPS Login - Staff only
• Doctor of Philosophy - Music
• Entry and participation requirements

Doctor of Philosophy - Music (DR-PHILMUS) // Entry and participation requirements

View full page

About this course

• Attributes, outcomes and skills
• Course structure

Coordinator

MCM Associate Director (Research)

Currently enrolled students:

• General information: Graduate Research Hub

Future students:

• Further information: MCM website
• Email: [email protected]
• Email: [email protected]

Entry requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to PhD candidature is a four-year honours degree from an Australian university, a Masters degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the Research Committee to be equivalent.

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music generally requires applicants to have completed a Master of Music by research (or equivalent qualification) before being eligible for admission to the PhD program. Applicants who have not met this requirement are usually advised to apply for the Master of Music with a view to applying for Conversion to PhD Candidature after 9 months of enrolment in the Master of Music.

Application Procedure

Applicants for PhD candidature should obtain information from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music about the department's research activities and potential supervisors who are qualified and available to accept PhD candidates for supervision, prior to lodging a formal application. For further information regarding the PhD in Music see the MCM degrees web page: mcm.unimelb.edu.au/study/degrees

Detailed information for prospective PhD students regarding the application process, including the application form is available at http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/applications/research .

Applicants must also meet the University’s English Language requirements .

Evidence of research ability

Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project, component, subject or group of subjects that accounts for at least 25% of their work (i.e. Honours year), or 25% of one year accumulated over the length of a Masters course, and which has, or have, been conducted, and assessed, individually. Research carried out in groups should at least have been graded individually. This project, component, or subject(s) may include:

(a) any obviously research oriented project, subject or sustained piece of scholarly writing conducted for assessment, such as small theses, research essays, long essays, or studios; AND/OR

(b) any less-obviously research subjects, including practice-based subjects such as performance or fieldwork, where there is also scholastic rigor as documented in a sustained piece of writing analogous to (a); AND/OR

(c) any subjects directed at the formation of research skills, such as methodology and reasoning, such as scientific reasoning, or legal reasoning, where a sustained piece of writing has also been produced.

PhD (Musicology/Ethnomusicology, Music Therapy, Music Psychology and Performance Science) Applications

Applicants are required to submit

• a research proposal of 2,500 words
• a recent example of scholarly writing of 4,000-5,000 words

PhD (Composition) Applications

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period. In the creative arts (including composition), a PhD thesis may take the form of a corpus of creative work plus a dissertation that aims to address, elucidate and contextualise the work. The creative work and dissertation will be examined as an integrated whole.

Eligibility

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music generally requires applicants to have completed a Master of Music by research (or equivalent qualification) before being eligible for admission to the PhD program. Successful applicants will already hold a degree in composition and typically be well on the way to developing a professional career as a composer. Representation at the Australian Music Centre (or international equivalent) would normally be expected.

Application

In addition to a proposal for the PhD folio & dissertation, applicants are required to submit two or three representative works only, including a major work of over 15 minutes duration for large acoustic ensemble (or alternative medium), equivalent to that required for Masters standard. These should include at least one notated, bound score and at least one work written in the last 2 years. Recordings of MIDI versions are not acceptable. Live or studio performances and electro-acoustic works should be submitted on CD. Applicants should discuss their submission with a member of the composition staff in person, or by email (if interstate or overseas).

Applicants should also include a list of works composed (including instrumentation, duration, and date), together with a list of any publications (scores & recordings), performances and broadcasts to date.

In addition to examples of their compositional work, applicants for the PhD in composition are required to submit a substantial piece of scholarly writing with their application.

PhD (Music Performance) Applications

Applicants for the PhD (Music Performance) degree are required to submit, in addition to the standard application form:

• a thesis proposal of 2-3 pages. The research proposal should outline how the applicant intends to use recorded performances to illustrate his or her research in the final PhD submission.
• a recent example of scholarly writing of 4-5000 words;
• a DVD of a single unedited recital of approximately 70 minutes’ duration consisting of major repertoire for the instrument on which he or she intends to undertake the performance component. A live audition of approximately 70 minutes’ duration might also be required.
• a list of repertoire performed for examination in prior tertiary music qualifications.

Applicants should have completed MUSI40064 The Research Process for Musicians or equivalent with a result of H2A or above or may be required to take a research methodology subject in the first semester of their enrolment.

PhD (Jazz & Improvisation)

Applicants for the PhD (Jazz & Improvisation) degree are required to submit, in addition to the standard application form:

• a research proposal of 2,000 words

Applicants will be interviewed and must demonstrate a very high standard of artistic ability via a live performance or live performance recordings.

PhD (Interactive Composition)

Applicants for the PhD (Interactive Composition) degree are required to submit, in addition to the standard application form:

Applicants will be interviewed and must demonstrate a very high standard of artistic ability via a folio of original works. The folio must contain recordings of 4 of your original composition at a total duration of 20 minutes . This can include audio visual recordings of your original music from any source such as: pop songs, concert music, band music, laptop performance, hip hop rapping, music theatre music, film music, or music for dance or other media, such as music for games, advertising and web use. If appropriate include music scores and/or charts depending on your background.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

All PhD candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months full-time (24 months part-time) advanced study and research in the University unless studying at an outside institution approved by the Research Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC). The RHDC will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for research higher degree students. Throughout their candidature candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment. The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the period of probationary candidature. During probationary candidature the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:

• to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
• to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a PhD awarded by the University
• to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the Melbourne School of Graduate Research throughout candidature.

Candidates who do not have the appropriate research methodology background may be advised to take the following Research Methodology subject in the first semester of their candidature: MUSI90191 The Research Process for Musicians (RHD).

All students in the PhD - Music must participate in regular seminars in their discipline area. Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Psychology and Performance Science, Music Performance and Composition students must attend at least 27 MCM Postgraduate Seminars during their enrolment (these are held every Thursday during semester, the MCM RHD Community on the Learning Management System has details of the MCM Postgraduate Seminar). Students in Music Therapy attend seminars and intensive weekends over the period of their candidature. Students in Jazz & Improvisation and Interactive Composition should consult their discipline heads for seminar details.

Disability: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Last updated: 30 January 2024

Research degrees

Quick links.

Explore our graduate research degrees and the supervisors, infrastructure, supports and services available.

Scholarships

Explore our scholarship opportunities that recognise talent and support graduate researchers.

Find a supervisor

Find the right supervisor for you and learn how they can support your research.

How to apply

Start your research journey by applying for graduate research as a domestic or international candidate.

Why research with us

Join Australia’s leading research university, pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

Discover research at Melbourne

Your research options

Discover the types of graduate research we offer, including the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and masters by research.

Explore our research areas – from arts, humanities and social sciences to veterinary, agricultural and food sciences and learn more about your opportunities  as a graduate researcher, including interdisciplinary and international experiences.

Explore your options

Your study experience

Discover what life is like as a researcher at Melbourne, including learning on campus, living in Melbourne, and the facilities and services available to you.

Life as a researcher

Support for Indigenous researchers

We encourage and support our Indigenous graduate researchers. Find out about the services and opportunities available to Indigenous applicants and join a close-knit Indigenous research community that shares your culture, challenges and knowledge.

Where could your degree take you?

Engage with industry.

Find out how our graduate researchers can engage with industry.

Entrepreneurial programs

Access a range of entrepreneurial opportunities through the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC).

Commercialising your research

Understanding intellectual property and copyright can be challenging. We're here to help you manage these aspects of your research.

Interdisciplinary research

Challenging current thinking and translating knowledge through unexpected connections.

Banner image: Getty Images

Kat McFerran

Professor in music therapy, melbourne conservatorium of music, contact kat, fine arts and music, primary interest, music and health, kat's short profile.

On this page, you will find career-related opportunities, including but not limited to jobs, fellowships, and scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

3-year Postdoctoral Position in Durham, UK

by AMPS Admin | Sep 5, 2023 | Careers , Opportunities , Research Jobs

Durham University in the UK is currently recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a 3-year project on music and imagination, funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The project will use a combination of online and lab-based psychological experiments, alongside...

Want to contribute to our understanding of solo singing?

by Melissa Forbes | Sep 3, 2023 | From the community , Opportunities

Melissa Forbes, Amanda Krause, and Dave Camlin are conducting an online survey investigating experiences of solo singing. We would love for you to complete the survey if you are over 18 years of age, and have had experience of non-group or solo singing. For further...

PhD position: Rhythm processing and temporal predictions (Dijon, France)

by AMPS Admin | Aug 1, 2023 | News , Opportunities

3-year PhD position in the Laboratory for Research on Learning and Development, LEAD – CNRS UMR5022 (LEAD website - English or LEAD website - French), Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France, for the project MusiC (Music and Cognition: Music to understand cognition)...

Research Assistant Opportunity: The role of trauma-informed community music education in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

by AMPS Admin | May 10, 2023 | Opportunities

Chief Investigator:Dr Jason Goopy(08) 6304 [email protected] School of EducationEdith Cowan University2 Bradley StreetMount Lawley WA 6050 Research Assistant Opportunity: The role of trauma-informed community music education in supporting the mental health and...

New positions at the University of Jyväskylä

by AMPS Admin | Apr 20, 2023 | Opportunities

The University of Jyväskylä is currently looking to fill some positions at the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain. Details below: 1 Postdoctoral researcher, music research (4 years) https://bit.ly/3FX5EO8 1-2 Postdoctoral researchers, music research...

Two 3-year post-doc positions Amiens/Dijon, France: neurodevelopment and rhythm processing

by AMPS Admin | Jan 20, 2023 | Opportunities

Two 3-year post-doc positions are available within the research project PreMusic, funded by the French National Research Agency ANR. This project aims is to evaluate the impact of early musical interventions in the NICU on preterm infants’ development, starting...

Opportunities at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time, and Motion

Announcing five new positions at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time, and Motion at the University of Oslo. Click through for more details. Doctoral Research Fellowship in Dance Rhythm Doctoral Research Fellowship in Musical Rhythm and...

GAPS2 Conference

by AMPS Admin | Oct 31, 2022 | News and Event , Opportunities

14-16 September 2023Hubs in: York, Graz, La Plata, and MelbourneMain conference website: https://sites.google.com/view/gaps2/home EOI: GAPS 2023 Student Committee Calling all undergraduate and postgraduate AMPS members! On the 14-16 September 2023, The Faculty of Fine...

PhD Scholarship – Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne

by AMPS Admin | Oct 24, 2022 | Opportunities

Project Chief Investigator: Professor Jane Davidson Project: Physical musicality: Optimising lived experience among older adults Closing Date: 31 October 2022 View the complete advert here.

Fully funded PhD Position – Neural Bases of Prediction in Music and Speech at MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

by AMPS Admin | Aug 14, 2022 | Opportunities

A fully funded PhD position is available to investigate the Neural Bases of Prediction in Music and Speech, working with Dr. Anna Fiveash and Professor Peter Keller at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development at Western Sydney University in Sydney,...

Two PhD Scholarships available: The Musical Escape

by AMPS Admin | Aug 6, 2022 | Opportunities

Two PhD scholarship opportunities are available now through The MARCS Institute, led by Lead Researcher Dr Steffen A. Herff. Click the links below for more information. The Musical Escape: Algorithmic Music Generation for Music Induced ImaginationThe Musical Escape:...

Opportunity: Lecturer Creative Arts and Health

by AMPS Admin | Apr 5, 2022 | Opportunities

The University of Tasmania is now hiring a Lecturer Creative Arts and Health. See here for more details. Applications due 11:55pm Friday 8th April 2022. "As the Lecturer in Creative Arts and Health you will have the opportunity to advance teaching and research in...

PhD Scholarship for healthy brain ageing and music.

by AMPS Admin | Apr 3, 2022 | Opportunities

Sydney Conservatorium of Music is advertising a fully-funded PhD scholarship to ask questions about healthy brain ageing and music. Join this exciting new program to work with a multidisciplinary team with expertise in music performance, music pedagogy, music...

PhD Scholarship: Creative Ageing through Transformative Engagement with Music

by AMPS Admin | Jan 11, 2022 | Opportunities

For more details visit the Scholarship page here. This ARC-funded HDR project focuses on music and wellbeing in Australia’s growing older population. Engaging with meaningful creative activities has been shown to empower older adults. Your project focuses on music in...

SysMus23 – Call for hosts

by AMPS Admin | Dec 2, 2021 | Opportunities , Uncategorised

Call to host SysMus23 shared by Joshua Bamford, Chair, SysMus Council Always wanted to organise a conference? We're currently looking for hosts for SysMus23, that will build on over a decade of conferences run by students, for students of Systematic Musicology...

PhD Research Opportunity

by AMPS Admin | Mar 10, 2021 | Opportunities

Department of Medicine (Austin Health) Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Supervisors: A/Prof. Michael Hildebrand (DoM, Austin), Prof. Sarah Wilson (MSPS), Prof. Gary McPherson (MCM); Prof. Samuel Berkovic (DoM, Austin) Music...

Research Fellow Opportunity: Social cohesion and resilience through intercultural music engagement

by AMPS Admin | Oct 14, 2019 | Opportunities

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) seeks to appoint a part-time (0.5 FTE) Research Fellow for a fixed term of 3 years. This role will contribute to a current project funded by the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Project scheme entitled: ‘Social...

PhD Scholarship Opportunity: Music and Social Cohesion

The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music (the University of Melbourne) is offering a scholarship for an outstanding PhD student to join an international team exploring the social and psychological processes by which music has positive cohesion and resilience effects in...

PhD scholarship opportunity: Machine learning for innovative music making – MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

by AMPS Admin | Sep 23, 2019 | Opportunities

A PhD studentship (scholarship) available in machine learning for innovative music making. It involves computational, musical and psychological studies, and candidates need expertise in both music and one other of the components, together with strong motivation to...

PhD Scholarship Opportunity: MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development

by AMPS Admin | Aug 29, 2019 | Opportunities

We are inviting applications from highly motivated candidates seeking to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree to work with Dr Jennifer MacRitchie, Professor Kate Stevens and Professor Roger Dean at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development as...

Research Assistant, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University

by AMPS Admin | Jun 27, 2019 | Opportunities

The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development is seeking to appoint a research assistant to work with a team of researchers on an ARC Discovery project “Maintaining active minds and bodies through older adult music education” awarded to Chief Investigators...

Griffith University Postdoctoral Fellowship (GUPF)

by amps-admin | May 1, 2019 | Opportunities

This is now closed. Expressions of Interest for a Griffith University Postdoctoral Fellowship (GUPF) at the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre (fixed-term, 2 years). Please see attached an EOI form. These EOI forms are due at 5pm (AEST) on Friday 10 May 2019,...

Resources for:

Apr 27, 2024 12:00pm

Fiona Shonik, trumpet

Galvin Recital Hall

Apr 27, 2024 2:30pm

Ernie Wang, jazz saxophone

Apr 27, 2024 7:30pm

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra and Choirs

Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

• Lectures & Interviews
• Master Classes
• Recitals & Chamber Music
• Visiting Artists

Main Resources

Main utility, robert taylor appointed director of bands at northwestern.

April 24, 2024

The Bienen School of Music has appointed Robert Taylor as professor of conducting and director of bands.

The Bienen School of Music has appointed Robert Taylor ’02 MMus, ’06 DMus as professor of conducting and director of bands, effective September 1, 2024. As the fourth person in Northwestern’s history to hold the director of bands position, Taylor will conduct the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teach graduate and undergraduate conducting, and lead all aspects of the band program.

“Dr. Robert Taylor possesses the necessary skills, curiosity, care, and attention to detail that are required to lead the Bienen School's world-renowned wind ensemble program,” said Bienen School Dean Jonathan Bailey Holland. “His vision is rooted in tradition, while enthusiastically embracing new voices and methods of communicating through music.”

Taylor is currently professor of music and director of bands at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Previous appointments include the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, and Eureka High School in northern California, where ensembles under his direction earned recognition by Downbeat Magazine , the Selmer Corporation, and Grammy Signature Schools.

He received master’s and doctoral degrees in conducting from Northwestern, where he studied with Mallory Thompson—the University’s third director of bands, who will retire at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in trumpet and music education from Humboldt State University.

Known for innovative and immersive concert programming, Taylor maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor. Past engagements include performances with the Vancouver Brass Orchestra, U.S. Army Field Band, Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the Chicago-based contemporary music group MAVerick Ensemble. Collaborations span a wide range of international artists—from virtuosi performers Barbara Butler (trumpet), Jose Franch-Ballester (clarinet), Larry Knopp (trumpet), Julia Nolan (saxophone), Daniel Perantoni (tuba), Jeff Nelsen (horn), Gail Williams (horn), and Allen Vizzutti (trumpet); to composers Mason Bates, Jodie Blackshaw, Steven Bryant, Raven Chacon, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Cait Nishimura, Joel Puckett, Alex Shapiro, Frank Ticheli, and Dana Wilson; to jazz, pop, and crossover performers Ingrid Jensen, Shruti Ramani, Manhattan Transfer, Kenny Werner, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

“His vision is rooted in tradition, while enthusiastically embracing new voices and methods of communicating through music.”

- Jonathan Bailey Holland

As a passionate advocate of music in the schools, Taylor is in high demand as a festival adjudicator, rehearsal clinician, and guest conductor throughout North America and internationally. His frequent appearances with young musicians include serving as principal conductor of the Puget Sound Youth Wind Ensemble and guest conductor of numerous honor groups, such as the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, National Youth Band of Canada, AMIS Asia Honor Band, California Orchestra Directors Association Honor Symphony, and many provincial and all-state bands across Australia, Canada, and the United States.

His research on wind literature, rehearsal techniques, integration of cutting-edge technology, and application of Ashtanga Yoga to improve body awareness and injury prevention in the training of nascent conductors and performing musicians has been featured in presentations at regional, national, and international music conferences, including appearances at the Midwest Clinic, College Band Directors National Association, and on several popular podcasts. Among numerous contributions in leading publications, recent research focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through contemporary, socially conscious programming. He is co-author of The Horizon Leans Forward, a book that amplifies the talent and voices of underrepresented communities in the wind band field.

Taylor is a Killam Laureate, Jacob K. Javits Fellow, and Thomas A. Davis Teaching Prize Winner, and has served on the executive boards of the British Columbia Music Educators Association and College Band Directors National Association (Northwest Region). He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Societies, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and National Association for Music Education.

Photo by Takumi Hayashi

Related News

Northwestern’s first woman director of bands to retire.

October 5, 2023

Mallory Thompson, director of bands and John W. Beattie Chair of Music at the Bienen School of Music, will retire at the end of the 2023-24 academic year following a 28-year teaching and conducting career at Northwestern. 

Symphonic Band selected to perform at CBDNA divisional conference

February 18, 2020

The Northwestern University Symphonic Band will perform at the North Central Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) on Saturday, February 22.

Mallory Thompson featured on Northwestern Intersections podcast

June 6, 2019

In the latest Northwestern Intersections podcast, Mallory Thompson (79, G80) discusses her “family” at Northwestern, including an extensive alumni network that she has cultivated for the past 23 years as director of bands.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble celebrates 50th anniversary June 8 and 9

May 15, 2019

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its founding with a two-day celebration June 8 and 9, culminating in a performance featuring more than 150 Bienen School alumni.

Bachelor of Music

Discover our majors and learn about your future as a student at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, part of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne.

Find your artistic voice

Be inspired to be brave and take creative risks through our immersive and practical curriculum, led by internationally renowned teachers and performers who'll guide and develop your potential to the fullest.

Build your network

Connect with students from across the arts in the heart of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct and forge links that will help you throughout your creative career.

Learn from industry-connected professionals

Enhance your musicianship or research skills under the guidance of our expert professionals with strong industry connections.

Bachelor of Music overview

Dr Nicholas Tochka, Program Director for the Bachelor of Music, gives an insight into what your student experience will be like when you study with us.

Explore our majors

We offer a range of majors to suit your musical background, experience and goals. Whichever major you choose, you'll study in world-class facilities at the Ian Potter Southbank Centre.

All majors are now open to domestic and international applicants for Semester 1 2024 intake.

Music Studies

Develop portable, practical and collaborative skills applicable to a range of music-related careers while pursuing your individual interests.

Musicology and Ethnomusicology

Study music across diverse historical, geographical and cultural contexts with a view toward pursuing individual research.

Performance

Gain practical instruction and ensemble experience on orchestral instruments, piano, guitar and classical voice.

Composition

Develop your skills in the art and craft of writing and notating music for live performance, based in the Western art music tradition but extending beyond it.

Interactive Composition

Create music and sound for a range of contemporary media contexts and platforms in this commercially led, collaborative major.

Jazz and Improvisation

Build your creative and improvisatory skills through immersive individual, small-group and large-group performances.

Access Melbourne

There are now more ways to study at Melbourne – Access Melbourne provides future students of all backgrounds with increased opportunities to join our diverse student community, so you can realise your full potential.

Music Psychology

Music psychologists explore the ways that music impacts our emotions, relationships, brain and bodies. We use a range of research approaches to explore the connection between music and individuals, groups and society in order to better understand how music can promote health and wellbeing.

Music Psychology at the Conservatorium

Discovering how people think, feel, behave and learn when engaging with music..

Our Music Psychology Laboratory undertakes research, learning and teaching around the key concept of what it is for individuals and societies to be musical, and the ways music forms an invaluable aspect of everyday life. Our researchers collaborate and engage with other disciplines and organisations in ways that foster exploration, innovation and experimentation.

We work in close association with our sister laboratory at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences – the Clinical Music Neuroscience Laboratory – and collaborate on projects within the Music Mind and Wellbeing Initiative (MMW) at the University of Melbourne.

The Music Psychology Laboratory provides an innovative and overarching framework within which is housed three key areas of music research, teaching and engagement:

Psychology of Music

Focuses on the role music plays in every society and culture, and how it is an important part of all aspects of life, including various social, recreational and cultural occasions. Utilising a range of methodologies, our research initiatives seek to understand the role and purpose of music for individuals and communities, and the ways people engage with music and use music to regulate their mood and emotions in ways that reinforce wellbeing.

Performance Science

Involves the interdisciplinary study of human performance within music. We draw on methodologies across various scientific disciplines to understand the fundamental skills, mechanisms and outcomes of music involvement that enhance the delivery of various forms of professional music performance and music creation.

• Performance Teaching

Applies empirical evidence from music psychology related to skill acquisition, practice quality, and motivation, to explore targeted interventions that can be utilised by musicians and teachers and implemented within music education settings, both formal and informal.

Learn more about Masters in Music - Performance Teaching course

Music Psychology and Performance Science courses

Visit the University of Melbourne course site to find out more on our undergraduate and graduate courses

I was really interested in the work Dr Margaret Osborne was doing at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, which seemed to be at the forefront of performance science research and everything seemed to evolve from there. My current research involves the development and assessment of an online performance skills curriculum for adolescent music students and teachers. Anneliese Gill Music Psychology and Performance Science Research

Want to know more?

Get information on the courses you’re interested in, or ask our team a question.

Make an enquiry

Conservatorium Events

Monique dimattina, sam anning septet featuring allara briggs-pattison, end of semester concert: brass ensemble, of the mind, earth and sky, tristan lee piano: haydn, schoenberg, cage and prokofiev, aco collective: the lark ascending, assessed on attendance 2: hurdle requirement, jazz and improvisation large ensemble fest, meditation and fire, jazz and improvisation small ensemble series, composition 3 - music for wise people who appreciate good quality, super grant, philharmonic orchestra concert, jazz & improvisation mega day, chamber music showcase, contrasts: music for flute and bassoon, the university of melbourne concert band: ways and means, new music studio: proof machine, the leading edge guitar ensemble presents beatlerianas, world music concert: autumn, end of semester concert: baroque ensemble, heinrich biber - requiem in f minor, vce conservatorium experience day, myriad: under construction, seed quintet plays jazz, gender defying jazz, triennial competition opens to celebrate talented young violinists.

• Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

“We are all artists” – Renowned human rights educator visits University of Melbourne

Musicologist linda barwick receives sir bernard heinze memorial award, melbourne conservatorium of music appoints two world-class pianists, the faculty of fine arts and music is proud to present ‘the magic flute’.

• Victorian College of the Arts

Anna Bao En Sing: Balancing Music and Medicine

Rhythms of discovery: kate tempany’s great barrier reef concerto.

• Music Performance

From Melbourne to Asia with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Meet pianist, Timothy Kan

David arden on sharing his song lines and latest project ‘meerta’.

• Wilin Centre For Indigenous Arts And Cultural Development

From Melbourne to Asia with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Meet trombonist Joshua Dulfer

Opera student amanda hargreaves on performing with victorian opera and falling in love with classical music, meet university of melbourne’s sabrina mckenzie, the faculty of fine arts and music celebrates the success of alumni and staff at the 40th annual green room awards.

• Prizes and Awards

Meet Melbourne Conservatorium of Music student Joshua Morton-Galea

‘australian canvas’: dr nicholas enrico williams to deliver his final concert as conductor of wind symphony at melbourne recital centre, miriama young: kinds of blue, music, animation, and dance students take over fed square’s digital façade on new year’s eve.

• Interactive Composition
• Film and Television

Piers Lane (AO) announced as recipient of 2022 Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award

A powerful musical experience: university of melbourne orchestra to perform mahler 2, inside the musician: stuart greenbaum: emerging from the darkness.

• Staff stories
• Composition

New partnership brings students into the concert hall with the world’s leading musical talent 

• Partnerships

With My Self in That Moment, Chamber Made gives us a dystopian view of our lost soul in the digital age

Soprano stacey alleaume on nerves, wardrobe malfunctions and international success, diploma in music and bachelor of science student thien pham wins $10,000 james morrison jazz scholarship.

• Jazz and Improvisation

Congratulations to Leah Columbine, 2022 recipient of the MSO Snare Drum Award

Becoming the selfish giant, hannah shin wins top prize at the lev vlassenko piano competition, compose queer: bringing queer stories into the mainstream of classical music, leanne mcgowan wins dorcas mcclean travelling scholarship, violinists compete for dorcas mcclean scholarship, richest prize for violinists in australia, students band together to bring the skyrim theme to life, two faculty violinists among dorcas mcclean award semi-finalists, ablaze: tiriki onus resurfaces vital indigenous history through a film about his grandfather, is our thinking about emotions wrong dr frederic kiernan, university of melbourne, the art and science of teaching music online: dr carol johnson at the melbourne conservatorium of music, bells make me sing: re-recording a brian brown classic to celebrate 40 years of jazz and improvisation, meet nicholas williams, associate director of performance – ensemble studies at the melbourne conservatorium, meet monica lim, master of music (research) in interactive composition student, bridging ethnic divides at the mitrovica rock school: an interview with dr gillian howell, hiraeth: a new solo guitar work to celebrate 100 years since manuel de falla's homenaje a debussy, conservatorium trombone student wins prestigious margaret sutherland bursary competition, gondwana choirs founder lyn williams named 2021 heinze award recipient, resilience and connection through music – in person and online, professor barry conyngham – reflections of the outgoing dean of faculty of fine arts and music, melbourne conservatorium of music lecturer sunny kim presents the 2020 peggy glanville-hicks address, nigel westlake wins university of melbourne albert h maggs award for composition.

• Contemporary music

Words Seemed Unnecessary: the VCA's David Sequeira and Isolation Improvisation Collective make artful music

Frisson, a new short film from alex wu, will give you goosebumps, new dean appointed at the faculty of fine arts and music, guitar perspectives 2020 – some student works to savour, right here, dr richard letts receives the 2020 sir bernard heinze memorial award, from southbank to west side story: the maverick brass quintet perform bernstein, guitar perspectives 2020: music made in isolation by melbourne conservatorium staff, students and special guests, meet jordine cornish, master of creative arts therapy student at the university of melbourne.

• Creative Arts Therapy

Meet Samantha Hargreaves, Master of Music (Opera Performance) student

The william tell overture – performed by the university of melbourne symphony orchestra, and vca dancers, at home, welcome to interactive composition open house, finding voice – katy abbott on composing hidden thoughts ii: return to sender, ronald farren-price, a legend of australian music, turns 90, mongrel 2020: music theatre, cabaret, and live performance to watch online.

• Music Theatre

Meet Danna Yun, Composition alum at the University of Melbourne

Meet jade nye, jazz and improvisation student at the university of melbourne, how to play a simple blues guitar solo, 104 concert halls: ravel's boléro (from home) by the university of melbourne symphony orchestra, meet dr brad merrick, senior lecturer in music (performance teaching) at the melbourne conservatorium, four new faces at the melbourne conservatorium in 2020, dr kim dunphy, dance movement therapist: ‘it’s our moral obligation to make a contribution’, a chance for teachers to upskill and make music accessible to students with disabilities.

• Music Therapy
• Short courses

Conversations on Country: experiencing Indigenous cultural and creative practices with the Wilin Centre

Operation opera: the secret of success at the melbourne conservatorium’s voice department, homeside: music therapy for people living with dementia goes global, the need for truthing in language rematriation, dr katy abbott wins for hidden thoughts at the 2019 paul lowin prizes, meet krishan meepe, ethnomusicology student at the university of melbourne.

• Ethnomusicology

Meet Tilly Webb, Interactive Composition student at the University of Melbourne

Richard tognetti: 'creatives should be able to test the waters and pour in as much acid as they like', master of creative arts therapy: an australian first at the university of melbourne, welcome to the new director of the melbourne conservatorium.

• Arts Precinct
• International

Yamandu Costa, virtuoso guitarist: ‘I believe in the beauty of people’

Meet ng sze min, bachelor of music (interactive composition) graduate from the melbourne conservatorium, sally smart: “first commissions takes our artists to the world”, elijah wald: how the guitar shaped – and didn’t shape – the world, southbank campus to open for open house melbourne, the origins of musical expertise: beyond born versus made, bill henson: ‘there is no formula for how creativity unfolds’, brazilian guitarist yamandu costa in six videos, first commissions art project launches in florence, the international symposium on performance science, melbourne – what you need to know, deborah cheetham ao wins the sir bernard heinze award, photo gallery: ian potter southbank centre launch, australian chamber orchestra partners with university of melbourne, alumni stories: eugene ughetti, albert herring by the melbourne conservatorium of music: review, herbie hancock comes to the university of melbourne for international jazz day, five questions for dr anthony lyons, interactive composition lecturer, university of melbourne, the ian potter southbank centre opens for melbourne conservatorium students and staff, meet hannes lackmann, master of music (performance teaching) graduate, university of melbourne, what is interactive composition at the university of melbourne, tiriki onus: five questions for the acting head of the wilin centre for indigenous arts and cultural development at the university of melbourne, five questions for dr erin helyard, senior lecturer (historical performance and musicology), university of melbourne.

• Early Music Studio

Explainer: what is artistic research?

Meet chloe uhrmacher, diploma in music student, university of melbourne, sneak preview of the new ian potter southbank centre in the melbourne arts precinct, 101 sensations: on tour with the university of melbourne symphony orchestra in asia, a tour of melbourne’s arts precinct and the people who make it, tillman jex: life as an interactive composition grad in berlin, alice humphries: turning the tide with the university of melbourne symphony orchestra, judy bailey oam honoured with the sir bernard heinze memorial award, music therapy: from melbourne to würzburg, meet anneliese gill, phd candidate in music psychology and performance science.

• Music Psychology and Performance Science

Martyn Myer: ‘A world-class cultural capital needs a world-class arts training faculty’

Mimir chamber music festival returns – with world-class mentoring, listen: how to turn musical “failure” into a rewarding career, two-minute interview: stephen goss, composer and guitarist, meet andrew bucknall, master of music therapy student, william tell-all: behind the scenes of the epic victorian opera production, two-minute interview: dr john carpente, music therapist for children on the autism spectrum, explainer: what are lieder, five questions for andrea keller, lecturer in music (jazz and improvisation – piano), does the radio keep you company the melbourne conservatorium needs you, how to prepare for peak performance, for musicians and non-musicians alike, carol johnson, online music expert: “i saw people’s lives change because they had the opportunity to learn music”, two-minute interview: alex pertout, percussionist, glenn branca: four guitar works by the late composer, elliott gyger at 50: the composer takes us through seven of his works, meet lauren gorman, master of music (orchestral performance) student, meet the staff: faculty of fine arts and music, ronald farren-price am receives the prestigious sir bernard heinze memorial award, handing over the reins at the stables – a new home for the arts in melbourne’s southbank, event: catch the synthi 100 streaming live, two-minute interview: jonathan paget, classical guitarist, gloria and beatus vir – meet the cast and crew, felicity baker on music interventions for dementia and depression, ade vincent, composer: from the tiger & me to melbourne symphony, meet alexandra czarnecki-roper, bachelor of music (jazz & improvisation) graduate at the melbourne conservatorium, podcast: jane davidson, marshall mcguire and the voices of women, proof of the conservatorium’s reach is in the magic pudding, meet chiara anderson, bachelor of music (performance) at the melbourne conservatorium, let it go: remembering dr ben leske, meet amy you, bachelor of music (music performance) at the melbourne conservatorium, singing to remember: music therapy and dementia study to launch at the conservatorium, dr imogen clark wins the hazel hawke research grant in dementia care, put the melbourne in melbourne conservatorium.