Music Composition Degree

The Music Composition degree produces unique and professional creative artists who, due to the unique mix of individual compositional and practical performance training offered at AMPA, are able to establish versatile careers as composers, arrangers, teachers and other industry professionals.

Overview

AMPA’s innovative undergraduate degrees merge high-level performance and practical training with academic rigour and unparalleled industry insight. Students can personalise their degree based around their individual musical interests and aspirations.

Unlike many institutions in Australia, AMPA remains focused on individual, one-to-one learning. This means that music students are entitled to receive a 60 minute lesson per week as part of their Principal Study unit, along with an additional 30 minute lesson as part of Second Study. The option of taking a Second Study is particularly unique to AMPA and a valuable opportunity for students with more than one skill eg. piano/conducting or violin/jazz saxophone.

Focus Area: Composition

As a composition music student at AMPA, you will intensively study a broad range of repertoire from across a number of different genres – from solo vocal and instrumental works, art music ensembles, orchestral works, film scores to games music. You will work closely with an expert tutor in their field and focus area of choice, and have opportunities to workshop and have your original works performed at many AMPA events, as well as external concerts and functions. AMPA boasts some of the finest composition teachers in Australia, who nurture and guide students through their creative musical process. The institution designs individually structured courses to ensure students gain the utmost from their degree.

Choose electives to complement and refine your degree from classes such as: Conducting, Music Theatre, Arranging and Orchestrating, Studio Teaching, Recording, Jazz/Classical Fusion and more

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Course Highlights

Flexible choice of principal and second study units;
Regular one-to-one sessions with your teacher in the production studio, where you can ask individual questions and get the right guidance in the areas you need support in;
The option to continue performance studies through solo and ensemble work, while having your pieces performed in a live theatre environment;
Upgrade options to use your prior studies as credit/advanced standing towards a new degree

Course Levels

Admissions

Entry Requirements: Completion of HSC or equivalent OR completion of at least one full time year of tertiary study OR as a mature age student. Provisional admission may be granted for students limited educational qualifications.

Entry Basis: Performance Audition/Portfolio + Interview + Music Knowledge Assessment

For further information on the admissions process head over to How To Apply.

If you have already completed a VET Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or other Tertiary study you could be eligible to receive Recognition of Prior Learning Credit (including fees) from our courses under the AMPA Pathways Program – Inquire for more information.

Course Structure

PRINCIPAL STUDY
All students receive 12 x individual, 1 hour lessons with a composition tutor every trimester.

MAJOR STUDIES
Analyse, workshop and develop stylistic interpretation and presentation on stage.

PERFORMANCE STUDIES
Weekly masterclass on stage in a live performance theatre led by expert practitioners.

ACADEMIC STUDIES
Gain the technical knowledge required to become a versatile professional. In stages 5 and 6 students transition to more practical based units to prepare for the industry and postgraduate studies.

ENSEMBLE
Improvise, experiment and collaborate with students in various group formats led by seasoned musicians.

ELECTIVES
Relevant to musicians that have multiple skill sets, the unique Second Study at AMPA provides 12 x individual, 30 minute lessons every trimester. Or choose from electives to complement and refine your degree such as: Jazz, Music Theatre, Music Industry, Improvisation, Recording, Production, Music and Moving Image and more.

Course Progression

Our higher education programs have been designed so that you can progress onto higher awards at the completion of your course, carrying over credit/advanced standing for the studies you have already completed.

Graduate Pathways

Composition graduates go on to become arrangers and composers for orchestras, films, video games, media and advertisements, as well as soundtrack producers, music directors and professionals in the creative industries. With the extra performance studies available at AMPA many composition graduates also have the capability of building performing careers as soloists and ensemble players in professional orchestras and bands. Additionally, graduates are qualified to undertake postgraduate studies in a range of areas including: teaching in secondary schools, TAFE and universities/colleges, arts management, creative industries, and further related programs.

Our People

AMPA teaching faculty are highly experienced practitioners with extensive industry and professional experience. Close mentorship and rigorous training ensure that AMPA graduates are equipped for successful careers in a highly competitive industry. Staff and peers will often continue to network after graduation to maximise professional opportunities.

View the AMPA Teaching Faculty

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Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application only takes 5 minutes to complete.

After you submit your application, an admissions team member will contact you to discuss your requirements and book an audition.

Prepare for your audition. Check the Audition Guidelines on what to prepare for the day.