Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs
I am an overseas student wishing to study at the School of Music. Who do
I contact?
All international enquiries are handled by Victoria International and Massey
International. Please email victoria-international@vuw.ac.nz
or international@massey.ac.nz.
They will forward any course-specific questions on to the appropriate School of
Music staff member.
What is the cut-off date to apply for Music Performance?
Performance Music applications are invited from 1 July each year. The closing
date for Classical Performance Music applications is usually in mid-September. Application forms for auditions can be found on the
Auditions page.
What music theory background do I need to major in music?
MUSC 166 (Classical theory 1) is a compulsory paper in a degree majoring in
Classical Performance, Composition, or some Music Studies specialisations. This course requires that the student has a certain level of
musical ability.
At the beginning of the MUSC 166 paper it is assumed that
students have a knowledge of, and quick facility with:
- major and minor key signatures up to four sharps and four flats
- transposing tunes in these keys
- triads and their inversions in these keys
- intervals found in these keys and an ability to distinguish between
major, minor, augmented and diminished versions of these intervals when
written down
- simple and compound time signatures, use of note values and rests including
beaming of tails or grouping of notes
- the technical names for degrees of the scale (tonic, supertonic, etc.)
- musical phrases and the recognition of perfect, imperfect, plagal and
interrupted cadences in written music
- reading with ease the treble alto, tenor, and bass clefs
Before enrolling in MUSC 166 students must provide proof of:
- having passed Grade 5 theory (Trinity, ABRSM, or AMEB)
- OR having achieved NCEA Music level three (including Module
3.5) [Practical Music: AS90530]
- OR having passed Bursary Music
- OR having obtained B+ or above in NZSM
160
- OR having been enrolled previously in an approved university "Materials
of Music" or "Musicianship"
paper.
— OR —
Alternatively, students can sit a NZSM entrance test either
during the audition period, or at an advised time a week before the start of
the first trimester.
For more information about the entrance requirements for MUSC 166,
including an online test which can help you assess your musical facility, please
click here.
If you are concerned about your preparedness for MUSC 166you might
consider enrolling in NZSM 160 Basic Musical
Techniques. This paper is an intensive course running for five weeks
in January and February each year, intended to bring students up to the required
musical level for MUSC 166, if a grade of B+ or better is achieved.
If you are unable to attend this course, School of Music staff are able to
suggest other methods of preparing for the entry test.
Are there any courses available which do not require a knowledge of music?
Yes! We welcome students who wish to take Music as a supporting subject for
another major or for general interest. Many music courses may be credited
to a BA degree, and there are a number of music courses for which no prior
knowledge of music is required. Those offered include:
Is it possible to combine the study of music with another subject, for example,
English, Science, Law, Business?
The BA offers the greatest flexibility for taking another arts subject alongside
music within a single degree, as the compulsory music courses account for
less than half the degree. Within a BMus you may include a maximum of 48 points
of another subject.
It is possible to study for more than one degree at the
same time. While the BMus/BA is a popular choice, 48 points of any degree
can be cross-credited towards the other, i.e. count towards both degrees.
You should be aware, however, that with Science, Law, and Business, timetable
issues will require careful planning on your part, and may limit some of your
course choices from year to year.
What careers might music graduates go into?
Go to Careers page
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Last Updated:
December 7, 2007
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