Image: courtesy University of Sydney
Practical skills essential to any aspect of music-making will be explored in an innovative new program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (the Con).
Starting in March 2015, the new Bachelor of Music Studies (Contemporary Music) will be taught by leading industry figures and offers students important insights into the practice of popular music.
‘We’re trying to get the whole scope of the music industry outlined in this program,’ said Associate Professor of Music Charles Fairchild.
‘They’ll have people currently in the industry in various capacities running workshops on marketing, presenting yourself, how to get your music played on radio, how to link up with people in the television industry for potential licensing agreements, how to go about soliciting interest from venues, and how to deal with promoters.’
Working collaboratively, students will build experience presenting their work with the chance to critically reflect on their practice. ‘Students, for a long time, have demanded or asked why we’re not doing this, and I’ve never had a good enough answer.’
Fairchild said that the points of difference to similar programs running in major cities across the country is based largely on the research pursuits of staff members, combined with the specific interests of students. ‘We want students to do critical essay writing and analysis of existing music. We want them to critically reflect on their own practice, and we want the work of other students or their peers to influence their work as well.
‘One thing that is very clear about the way in which the whole music industry is trending is towards ever-increasing diversity stylistically, but also an increasing internationalisation, especially in countries like Australia. We want students to be prepared for that,’ he said.
Among the academic staff working alongside Fairchild are Latin musician Dan Rogers and award-winning Australian composer Matthew Hindson, who head a leading suite of professional facilities and resources. ‘Students have access to the Conservatorium, players of jazz and jazz history. In terms of the facilities, we have a sizable computer lab, two dedicated performance spaces in the middle of the main campus, and access to several full-size recording studios.’
Fairchild said that prospective students are required to complete an audition for program entry, and would be well placed to reach out to lecturers and staff during Open Day on Saturday 30 August.
‘We’ll have people there with valuable information about how to set up their audition and the kind of material we’ll be expecting them to submit as a part of the audition,’ he said.
The new Bachelor of Music Studies (Contemporary Music) commences at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2015.
For more information visit the Conservatorium of Music website.
