Queensland Conservatorium

Application and admission procedures: Postgraduate programs

Applications

Selection of applicants for the Conservatorium's programs are based on various requirements such as satisfactory results in an audition, interview and presentation of folio. You should carefully check the specific requirements for the program for which you wish to apply.

Application forms are also available from the Conservatorium and applications must be submitted by the closing date listed on the form. A non-refundable registration fee of $30 per applicant applies and should be submitted with the application for audition form.

For more information, please contact Student Administration at the Queensland Conservatorium.

International students

International candidates must:

  • complete an application for admission as an International student form (available from Griffith International)
  • submit certified copies of academic records (transcripts) and qualifications and any record of experience (include course outlines of relevant courses if applying for credit)
  • submit a certified copy of your English language proficiency test results (which should be not more than two years old)
  • submit a CD or DVD (instrumental and vocal candidates) - see below for audition details or submit a folio of work (composition or music technology applicants)
  • pay the international application fee of AUD$50 by credit card or bank draft (payable to Griffith International)

There is no deadline for International applicants making an application with a recorded audition. However, it is advisable to apply by 31 October for semester one entry in the following year.

English language requirements

For more information, please contact Griffith International.

Notification of admission

The Conservatorium makes its postgraduate offers directly to domestic students. International students are advised by Griffith International.

Deferment

You cannot defer your place at the Conservatorium. If you are unable to accept an offer, you must re-apply for entry in the usual way to re-audition in the following year.

Auditions

Selection of applicants for the Conservatorium's programs are based on various requirements such as satisfactory results in an audition, interview and presentation of folio.

The Queensland Conservatorium prefers that all applicants (excluding international candidates) present for an audition in person. An audition date and time will be forwarded to each candidate (in writing) after all application forms have been processed.

Some instrument areas permit applicants who are genuinely unable to travel to Brisbane (e.g. International applicants) to submit a good-quality audition CD or DVD. Recording formats need to be CD (data formats/MP3 are not acceptable) or DVD. The recording must be of good quality. It must be dated and certified as being an unedited performance by the applicant and signed by the person in charge of the recording session. The audition requirements vary according to the type of program you wish to apply for. Please contact the Conservatorium to check which areas permit CD/DVD's. It may also be possible for individual auditions to be arranged at other times during the year for applicants travelling to Brisbane on other business. However, this cannot be guaranteed. Please contact the Conservatorium well in advance.

There are two audition sessions for postgraduate entry held each year:

  • Semester 1 intake: November each year
  • Semester 2 intake: June each year

For more information, contact Student Administration at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Audition requirements

Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma / Master of Music Studies
Classical Instruments

Applicants will be required to complete the following:

  1. A performance audition based on three contrasting pieces of their choice. Some instrumental areas may require a quick-study piece or a sight-reading example. Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma applicants should prepare a 20-30 minute program. Masters applicants should prepare a 45-60 minute program from which 20-30 minutes will be chosen by the audition panel. Not all pieces will necessarily be heard and not all pieces will be heard in their entirety.
  2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, musical experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The performance and interview will together last about 20-30 minutes.
Classical Voice

Applicants will be required to complete the following:

  1. A performance audition based on two contrasting pieces of their choice (preferably from the Concert/Oratorio/Art Song/Operatic repertory).
  2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, musical experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The performance and interview will together last about 20 minutes.
Jazz Instruments

Applicants will be required to complete the following:

  1. A performance audition of 15-20 minutes which demonstrates technical proficiency, stylistic awareness and an advanced level of improvisational ability on the chosen instrument. Candidates may perform solo, with an accompanist or a backing CD, or even with a group. Audition rooms are equipped with CD and tape players (not computers), drum kits, pianos and guitar and bass amplifiers. Appropriate repertoire could include more difficult standards from the American songbook (e.g. The Song is You, Chelsea Bridge, How My Heart Sings, Lush Life, Round Midnight etc) and/or jazz compositions from the 1960s onwards (e.g. Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Bill Evans etc) which will demonstrate a familiarity with modern harmonic and improvisational vocabulary. Candidates may be asked to sight read or perform various technical exercises such as scales, modes of the major scale and melodic minor, arpeggios etc.
  2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, musical experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The playing audition and interview will together last about 20-30 minutes.
Jazz Voice

Applicants will be required to complete the following:

  1. A performance audition based on three contrasting pieces. Candidates need to demonstrate an established contemporary style approach to repertoire. Audition repertoire should reflect an applicant's appreciation for a broad range of contemporary styles (e.g. swing, ballad, funk, pop, music theatre) and should be contrasting in tempo and mood. At least one of the repertoire selections should be a jazz standard in the style of such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett or Kurt Elling. A jazz standard is virtually any song by Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rodgers, Arlen, Schwartz, and Ellington. Use of pre-recorded or live accompaniment is acceptable.
  2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, musical experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The performance and interview will together last about 20-30 minutes.
Composition (including Jazz)

Applicants will not have an audition but will be required to complete the following:

  1. Submit a folio comprising three or more contrasting original scores with recordings (if available). Various media may be used. Each item should be of reasonable length, depending on the nature and context of the composition (e.g. 30 bars or more, or one or more minutes). Applicants must bring the folio with them on the day of their interview.
  2. Complete an interview in which they will be asked about their directions and goals, musical experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview. The interview will last about 20-30 minutes.
Instrumental Teaching

Applicants will not have an audition but will be required to complete the following:

  1. Submit a current teaching portfolio and a resume of achievements and experience. Audio or video tapes of teaching, ensemble or professional activity may be included. An interview will be conducted either in person or by phone for distance applicants.
Pedagogy (Keyboard / Strings / Voice)

Applicants will be required to complete the following:

  1. A performance audition based on two contrasting pieces of their choice.
  2. An interview in which applicants will be asked about their directions and goals, teaching experience, performance experience, music education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview, if they wish. The performance and interview will together last about 20 minutes.
Choral Music

Applicants will not have an audition but will be required to complete the following:

  1. Submit a good quality CD/DVD of conducting performances undertaken.
  2. Applicants may also be required to attend an interview in which they will be asked about their directions and goals, teaching experience, performance experience, music education and other relevant matters. Applicants may present a resume of achievements and experience at the interview if they wish.
Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma of Music Technology

Applicants will not have an audition but will be required to complete the following:

  1. Provide a folio consisting of original sound recordings and/or compositions on CD, cassette or DVD and also provide a written resume of achievements and experience. The recordings should be clearly identified and attached securely within the overall folio submission. The resume of achievements and experience should adhere to the following guidelines:
    • it should be submitted in a format no larger than A4
    • it should be clearly identify all of the applicant's significant details including name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
    • it should provide a detailed outline of relevant music and technology experience, knowledge and opportunities, career goals, general education, and other supporting information
    • it should present a complete listing of audio titles presented in the recording portfolio together with composition, recording credits and supporting information as necessary to fully describe the work.
    • if you wish to have the folio returned to you, it should be submitted with a stamped self-addressed envelope of adequate size
  2. Complete an interview in which they will be asked about their directions and goals, musical experience, musical knowledge, general education and other relevant matters. The interview will last about 20-30 minutes.

 

Last modified: 19-Oct-2011
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