Diploma in Contemporary Music (Level 5)

at Southern Institute of Technology

Students must complete all of the following:    
 

BCM501 Music Theory and Aural 1

This paper aims to develop students’ understanding in the main concepts of music theory and aural. In music theory the focus will be on common rhythmic values and groupings, scale types, intervals, modes, and chords. Students will develop a musical vocabulary to discuss notated music. The development of aural skills in melodic, rhythmic, interval and chord recognition will be enriched by basic keyboard skills in chord and scale construction.
 

BCM502 Music Technology 1

This paper aims to provide students with the skills required to operate standard music technology equipment and systems, including sound reinforcement recording systems and music computer applications.  There will be an emphasis on integrating theoretical knowledge with applied practical skills. This paper is intended to equip students with a wide base of practical and applied theoretical knowledge of audio and music technology as they relate to the music industry.
 

BCM503 Contemporary Composition Studies 1

This paper aims to provide students with an overview of musical composition and arranging methods by examining a variety of creative processes and concepts.  Students will present their arrangements and compositions using industry standard recording, production and notation software. The creative processes will be documented and examined.
 

BCM504 Practical Studies 1

This paper aims to develop skills in performing and reading notation in a contemporary music context in relation to an instrumental major (including voice). Students will perform at regular concerts in front of a live audience.
 

BCM505 Practical Studies 2

This paper aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop skills in particular genre as contemporary musicians within their chosen instrumental major (including voice).  There will be consolidation of the knowledge and techniques introduced in Practical Studies 1 in performance, technical extension, theory applications and musicianship skills applicable to the chosen instrumental major. Students will learn to write musical scores for their instrumental major and work on developing musical professionalism through group work and performances.
 

CON501 Contextual Studies 1

The student will develop knowledge and skills in academic writing and presenting in the context of music and audio creative arts. The students will develop this knowledge and these skills by examining historical, technological influences and developments in popular music in socio-cultural contexts.
 

MAI501 Music and Audio Industry Studies

Students will be introduced to the music, audio and related industries internationally and in New Zealand. This paper will examine different roles and how they function within the industries (locally, nationally, and internationally). Students will gain an awareness of the supporting societies and organisations within these industries in New Zealand. Students will learn the basic principles of small business management and self-employment skills pertinent to practitioners in the music and audio industry, along with relevant marketing and promotional skills.

Audition
 

All applicants are required to attend a live audition, or to provide a high quality video or provide links to an audition performance on a shared platform such as Youtube or Dropbox. Once an application is received, applicants will be sent details regarding audition material.
 

School Leavers
 

University Entrance - NCEA Level 3. Three subjects at Level 3, made up of:

• 14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and

• Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing, and

• Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)
   

Mature Applicants

Be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.
 

Special Admission
 

Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.
 

English Language Requirements
 

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:

• NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
• an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
• Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or
• Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in  either New Zealand, Australia­, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
• Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
• Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be  from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
• Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment.
   

Diploma at Level 5
 

• IELTS test - Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
• Cambridge English Examination – B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162.  No less than 154 in each skill
• OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
• NZCEL - a) Expiring Level   b) Current:
• Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36
• Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
• Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit in any band

Diplomas   NZ$16,500    Per academic year

This qualification can lead to employment or self-employment as a performer at a range of events, venues or in roles such as:

• composing for personal repertoire
• organising personal group or gig
• assisting in production of live or recorded music
• music/media business occupations.