Diploma in Contemporary Music (Level 6)

at Southern Institute of Technology

Level 5
 

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. This paper leads onto Contextual Studies 2.
 

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.
 

Level 6
 

Students must complete all of the following:        
             

BCM601 Music Theory and Analysis

This paper aims to further develop students’ understanding and applications of music theory and analysis. This paper builds on level 5 with advancing concepts in music theory in order to evaluate and apply them to read and write music to a complex level. The advancing concepts of music theory will be supported by analysis and practical application of musicological elements.
 

BCM603 Contemporary Composition Studies 2

This paper aims to develop students’ composition and arranging skills by examining a variety of creative processes and concepts, including composing music for visual media.  Students will present their arrangements and compositions using industry standard recording, production and notation software. The creative processes will be documented and examined.
 

BCM604 Practical Studies 3

This paper aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop skills in particular genres as contemporary musicians within their chosen instrumental major (including voice).  There will be consolidation of the knowledge and techniques introduced in Practical Studies 1 and 2 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.
 

BCM605 Practical Studies 4

This paper aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop skills in particular genres as contemporary musicians within their chosen instrumental major (including voice).  There will be consolidation of the knowledge and techniques introduced in Practical Studies 1, 2, and 3 in performance, technical extension, theory applications and musicianship skills applicable to the chosen instrumental major. Students will further develop their ability to write musical scores for their instrumental major and work on further developing musical professionalism through group work and performances.
 

CON601 Contextual Studies 2

This paper aims to prepare students for professional practice by presenting research as a uniting strategy for practice, theory and scholarship. Students will learn critical, analytical, and reflective approaches to assess current knowledge, and will be introduced to various research methodologies with a focus on research in the creative arts.
 

Plus one of the following electives:                                    
 

BCM602 Songwriting

This paper aims to develop students’ songwriting skills by examining a variety of creative processes and concepts.  Students will present their songs using industry standard recording, production and notation software. The creative processes will be documented and examined.
 

BCM606 Music Education Studies 1

This paper aims to introduce students to music education in Aotearoa/New Zealand. It will examine the skills and techniques related to different ages and contexts of teaching practice.  Students will have the opportunity to observe and reflect upon music teaching in a variety of contexts, as well as plan and execute a lesson designed for a particular context. It will also examine the history of music education in New Zealand and current perspectives, as well as exploring other aspects relating to music education, such as multicultural music education and music therapy. It will also provide students with the opportunity to develop a business plan for a small business that is related to music teaching.
 

CIB601 Creative Industries Business and Legal

Small business management is essential for anyone intending to, or finding themselves, running their own enterprise within the creative industry sectors such as music, sound  engineering and audio production, post production and other related creative industries. Students therefore will learn to manage their own professional business practice, professional development and industry knowledge to develop employment opportunities. They will research and analyse material and contexts for application to a creative industry business.
 

Elective 1

Any paper Level 5 and above to be approved by the Programme Manager

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 Leaves
 

• Successful completion of the Diploma in Contemporary Music (Level 5)
• Special entry may be granted where evidence exists that the applicant can successfully complete the programme
   

Mature Applicants
 

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

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 Bachelors’ 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:
• IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
• Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169.  No less than 162 in each skill.
• OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
• NZCEL - Level 4 (Academic)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
• Language Cert - C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
• Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band

Diplomas   NZ$16,500    Per academic year

The aim of the qualification is to provide those wishing to work in the music industry with further development in their understanding of what is required for employment or performance and/or provide a base for further education.