Master of Arts (Music Performance)
Course Overview
The Master of Arts (Music Performance) by 66% research offers students the opportunity to undertake a project on an approved topic in music performance research by preparing a well-researched, high-quality recital performance of challenging works that are recorded and submitted as part of a portfolio, along with a program booklet and explanatory research essay for examination. On completion, students should have developed instrumental or vocal performance skills and self-confidence to the level required for professional performance. They should also have widened their knowledge of repertoire and style and acquired appropriate skills in research and writing.
Entry Requirements
The minimum qualifications for admission to research masters candidature are:
- a four year Australian or New Zealand bachelors degree with an overall result of H2A or above (normally with a research component in the fourth year) or
- an Australian or New Zealand masters preliminary qualification with a significant research component and with an overall result of H2A or above or
- an Australian or New Zealand coursework masters degree with a significant research component graded at Distinction or above, and an overall result of H2A or above or
- an Australian or New Zealand research masters degree with an overall result of H2A or above or
- a qualification considered equivalent to one of the above (a minimum of a Bachelors degree with substantial professional experience in the field in the form of publications, performance and collaborations that may be evaluated by a group of peers who are experts in their respective fields).
An explanation of the grades H2A (70+) and Distinction is available from the Monash University Grading Scale Policy.
Note: Applicants who have completed an Australian postgraduate coursework degree without a research component but have achieved at least a Distinction result for 75% of the total course may be admitted into the 66% research masters degree, provided they are enrolled in a 12-point research project unit as part of the degree requirements of 24-points coursework units.
If you apply as an International Student, you will also need to check the following pages:
Applying
All applicants must submit evidence of practical work in the field which will include the following:
- A representative selection of the candidate's music performance work/music composition work in the style in which the candidate proposes to work (i.e. classical, contemporary classical, jazz, popular music, world music, computer music).
- A research proposal of 2-3 pages addressing the following headings:
- Research question
- Background to the research
- Aims of the research
- Methodologies of the research
- Examples of comparative practice as research and associated literature
- Proposed structure of the performance project.
- A covering letter explaining the candidate's interest in the degree and a CV outlining the candidate's professional interests, previous performance projects, and publication if any.
Two confidential professional references are required on the appropriate form, to be completed by people who have known students for at least one year.
Audition: Onshore and Domestic Students
More about the School of Music-Conservatorium Postgraduate Audition Requirements.
Audition: Offshore Students
In the case of overseas or interstate students, a video recording of a performance will be accepted for consideration of entry in lieu of an audition. The video must be recorded in one session, be uncut, and be accompanied by a statutory declaration.
Application Forms
See the How to Apply for an Arts Masters by Research Degree page.