Bachelor of Popular Music - Gold Coast
Program overview
| Program code | Program title | Award abbreviation | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1196 | Bachelor of Popular Music | BPopMus | Gold Coast | |
| Host element | Duration | CRICOS code | Credit points | Semester/Trimester intakes |
| Queensland Conservatorium | 3 years full-time | 027483J | 240CP | S1 |
| Program fees | ||||
Why choose this program?
Hear from Juan Sebastian Diaz Gasca.....
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This program is unique to Griffith and emphasises the musical innovation and creativity necessary to be successful in a wide range of vocations in the popular music industry. The program combines the traditions of popular music production with modern technology within an academic environment that fosters skills in creativity and innovation. It incorporates the learning approaches commonly found in popular music cultures by focusing on contemporary popular music practices, emergent technologies and skills in sound engineering and production along with up-to-date research in popular music history and analysis.
Education and training in popular music at tertiary level is a very recent phenomenon. This program gives you the edge by enabling you to develop transferable skills including creativity and imagination, self-assessment ability, self-directed learning and information literacy. You will also acquire skills in problem-solving and decision-making, critical thinking and analytical ability, writing skills, oral delivery, numeracy, information and communication technologies, teamwork and planning and project management. You will have 24/7 access to extensive recording studio facilities so you can record, review and improve your songs and improvisations. As an integral part of this process, you will undertake both theoretical and practical training in popular music with particular emphasis on the development of creativity in music technology, production, performance, songwriting and the business of music.
This program contains four streams of study.
- Major Study: This study focuses on the development of original musical product through innovative creative practices and processes. In collaboration with other students, you will spend a considerable amount of time working in the recording studios to create, rehearse, record and produce original musical product. You will be required to submit a recorded portfolio of this work and a project journal for assessment each semester. This usually takes the form of a CD with graphics you design yourself to appropriately signify the musical style. However, it might take the form of a DVD or VCD with original music composed to accompany a short film, animation, theatrical production or music video clip. Vocal and instrumental master classes, music business seminars and recording project workshops help you to develop the musical and associated skills required not only for completion of the major study recorded portfolio but also for a successful career in the music industry.
- Supporting Studies: These studies include courses to enable you to develop skills in information technology software, basic acoustics and sound engineering and production.
- Popular Music Resource Studies: These studies include courses associated with creative music technologies, rhythmic awareness, composition/songwriting, and music business.
- Music Literature and Culture Studies: These studies contains six semesters of courses focussing on popular music history with a substantial focus on the development and impact of popular music styles and cultures. A historical survey from 1930s country and blues styles to recent popular music styles provides a forum for students to focus on a wide variety of popular music repertoire. This is all important to developing your creative practice. As with most musicians working in the popular music industry, familiarity and engagement with a wide range of popular music styles provides a basis for experimentation in songwriting, performance, recording and production techniques.
Attendance
The Bachelor of Popular Music Program is offered full-time on campus at the Gold Coast campus.
As a full-time student you will generally attend 10-15 hours of scheduled classes per week throughout the semester. Classes may be scheduled during the day and evening throughout the week.
Students may take a reduced study load. You will be classed as a part-time student if you enrol in less than 30 credit points per semester. This may affect entitlement to Centrelink benefits.
International students must maintain a full-time study load.
The program's on-campus recording facilities are available to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and most students use these facilities extensively to complete the recorded work associated with the program. This self-directed work is additional to scheduled class time.
Career opportunities
You will find employment opportunities in large music organisations and the entertainment industry as well as the education sector. Many graduates have gone on to establish their own businesses such as recording studios, teaching studios, music distribution and artist and repertoire companies. The Bachelor of Popular Music also serves as a first step for those wishing to develop careers in music research and higher education.