New Zealand Certificate in Music Level 4

This programme consist of 120 credits. The courses includes:

Music Theory (30 Credits)

Learn to apply elementary music theory in a practical, written and aural environment. This may include:

• Complete circle of 5ths
• Notes on treble clef and bass clef
• All intervals up to an octave
• Scales – Major, chromatic, blues, minor pentatonic, major pentatonic, major arpeggio, including major modes, parent scales and natural, melodic minor and harmonic minor.
• Chords: Major, minor, sus4, dominant 7th, augmented, diminished, min7th, min7b5, augmented 7th, diminished 7th.
• Rhythm – 2 bar rhythms including whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes and corresponding rests. Including eighth and quarter note triplets.
• 12 bar blues
• Major diatonic chords
• Chord progressions up to 6 bars
• Melodic dictation up to 2 bars
• Harmonising a short melody
• Transpose a short melody

Performance and Technology 1a (15 Credits)

Perform and analyse a range of musical styles and performance technology in a range of performance environments. This may include:

• Sound theory
• Live sound technology, PA Set up, basic live band mixing
• Instrument development training from a specialised mentor
• Regular programme of practicing, and rehearsals is planned out and monitored
• Artistic and creative goal setting
• Improvisation, sight reading, technical fluency, agility and technical exercises for individual instrumentalists
• Composing music for band and solo performance
• Playing music in a range of styles in band or solo
• Research and analysis of a range of genres

Performance and Technology 1b (15 Credits)

Perform and analyse a range of musical styles and devise strategies for performance technology in a range of performance environments. This may include:

• Live Sound Technology, PA Set up, basic live band mixing
• Instrument development training from a specialised mentor
• Regular programme of practicing and rehearsals is planned out and monitored
• Improvisation, sight reading, technical fluency, agility and technical exercises for individual instrumentalists
• Composing music for band and solo performance
• Critiquing music for band and solo performance
• Playing music in a range of styles in band or solo
• Participation in planning an event or function

Composition and Technology 1a (15 Credits)

Compose and record music in the studio and Digital Audio Workstations (DAW). This may include:

• Introduction to DAW software and hardware
• Setting up a session in a DAW
• Recording audio, recording midi
• Applying sound theory to the production process
• Dynamic processing
• Effects processing
• Audio formats
• Rendering audio
• Electronic composition
• Music Fundamentals (Rhythm, form, timbre, dynamics, Harmony, Melody)

Composition and Technology 1b (15 Credits)

Compose and record music for a range of scenarios. This may include:

• Recording audio, recording midi
• Applying sound theory to the production process
• Dynamic processing
• Effects processing
• Mic placement
• Session management
• Headroom, Stereo Field, Dynamic range
• Project planning
• Working in the grid
• BPM’s and Quantising
• DAW short cuts
• Compositional techniques in a range of environments

Industry 1a (15 credits)

Develop the skills and knowledge to function in the music industry of New Zealand Aotearoa. This may include:

• Pepeha: genealogy and relationships
• Te Whare Tapa Whā
• Te Whare Tapere: traditional Māori performance types ( waiata, haka, poi etc)
• Influence of Māori performing arts in the New Zealand music industry
• Small Business (tax requirements, budgets, basic record keeping, business structures, funding)
• Employment opportunities in the New Zealand music industry

Industry 1b (15credits)

Manage a basic project as an individual orgroup. This may include:

• Event planning
• Marketing
• Introduction to design concepts
• Communication
• Management
• Brand development

Domestic Entry Requirements

NCEA Level 2

OR

Equivalent academic achievement

OR

On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean

For applicants 20 years of age and over there are no minimum academic requirements.

Applicants must be able to play a musical instrument and/or sing confidently and competently in front of others. Evidence will be demonstrated by an audition or a DVD/video recording.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 5.5 with no band score less than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

International Entry Requirements

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international student applicants.

English language proficiency

International student applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

Domestic Fees: *
$6838.00

International Fees:*
$20,500.00

Successful graduates of UCOL's New Zealand Certificate in Music have a good understanding of the music industry and the business of music, and are able to demonstrate proficiency in:

• Their specialist instrument 
• Performing within an instrumental ensemble to an industry standard 
• Music theory, analysis and technology to communicate musical ideas
• Composing and performing original music

Possible career options include:

• Musician
• Singer
• Songwriter
• Sound engineering
• Teaching
• Band management
• Event management