THE FACULTY OF THE VCA AND MUSIC BACHELOR OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE COURSE STRUCTURE
(SOUTHBANK) The Bachelor of Music Performance is a three-year, full- This undergraduate course of three-years which embraces a
The Faculty of the VCA and Music (Southbank), formerly time degree course which provides specialist training for wide selection of musical styles including jazz, world music,
the Victorian College of the Arts was established in 1974 students who wish to prepare for careers as professional free form improvisation, a cappella, crossover music and
with John Hopkins, the highly respected conductor and musicians. This is a HELP (HECS) funded course which intermedia concepts is underpinned by a solid technical
educationalist as its first Dean. The courses at VCAM may be followed by a full-time fourth year for selected foundation and a thorough grounding in one of the most
(Southbank) are directed towards educating and training students to complete an Honours degree. The objectives of important languages found in the improvised musical world;
students to become top professional musicians in a this course are: the African-American jazz idiom. Although for some it may
performance oriented environment and to promote the only provide a basis from which it is possible to develop
highest level of performance by students and staff in a • To encourage the development of creative, vital individual areas of performance and composition, it is
range of concerts and recitals reflecting the school’s ethos musicians sufficiently flexible to contribute to the nonetheless seen as crucial in the learning and developing
and commitment to a broad range of musical styles and changing needs of the artistic community; process in this area of music-making. As students progress
through the course the desire to take pathways which move
repertoire. The Bachelor of Music Performance course at • To develop practical musical skills to the highest
the Faculty of the VCA and Music (Southbank) is offered in away from the jazz idiom into more personal approaches is
professional level, combined with a comprehension of
three streams; Repertoire, Improvisation and Practical strongly encouraged, and despite obvious difficulties inherent
music in a variety of historical, social and cultural
Composition. in such a program, this complexity and diversity is seen as one
contexts;
the great strengths of this course, and indeed it has much to
• To provide a comprehensive study of current musical do with its uniqueness.
practices within a fundamental aural approach to
IMPROVISATION AT THE VCAM learning; YEAR 1
The Improvisation Stream at VCAM (Southbank) was • To develop a realistic awareness of the demands of the Principal Study
established by Brian Brown in 1980. It provides an music profession; Individual Lesson, Mid-Year Tech Exam, Recital, Workshop
opportunity for students to develop the art of improvisation Specialist Related Studies
in music, through a course which balances the • To encourage activities that foster collaboration Improvisation Materials, Tutorials
development of high skill levels with the creative processes between the various schools on campus; Ensemble
vital to improvised musics, whilst maintaining an awareness • To encourage interaction within the wider educational Small Ensemble, Large Ensemble
of the demands of an ever-changing profession. Alex and artistic community. Aural Studies
Pertout has been a faculty member since his graduation Harmonic and Rhythmic components
from the college with distinction in 1984. He was appointed Languages of Music
Head of Improvisation Studies in 2000. Bachelor of Music Performance Generic Skills Analysis
At the completion of the Bachelor of Music Performance Centre For Ideas
students should be able to:
Improvisation students are prepared for professional
careers in music by an impressive academic staff consisting • Exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of YEAR 2
of highly regarded musicians and teachers. In addition to their discipline including relevant professional Principal Study
teaching, staff members remain practising artists, making knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to Individual Lesson, Mid-Year Tech Exam, Recital, Workshop
VCAM (Southbank) a dynamic and unique centre in which the practising musician; Specialist Related Studies
the pursuit of excellence is a common ideal shared by staff Improvisation Materials, Tutorials
• Demonstrate an open and independent attitude towards Ensemble
and students. contemporary cultural developments; Small Ensemble, Large Ensemble
The staff consists of: Alex Pertout (Head of Improvisation), • Demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the Aural Studies
Ashley Cross (Lecturer), Dr Rob Vincs (Lecturer), Geoff challenges for the professional musician in the 21st Harmonic and Rhythmic components
Hughes (Lecturer) and Geoff Kluke (Lecturer), along with a century; Languages of Music
host of outstanding sessional staff members which include Analysis
• Critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural Centre For Ideas
Scott Tinkler, Fiona Burnett, Andrea Keller, Reg Walsh, significance across the broader community;
Qmars Piraglu, John Norton, Joe Chindamo, Adrian
Sherriff, Tony Gould, Peter Petrucci, Lachlan Davidson, • Work at various levels, both individually and as a team YEAR 3
Paul Grabowsky, Graham Morgan, Cosimo Ciccone, Tony member, in a wide variety of musical environments; Principal Study
Hicks, Jamie Oehlers, Anita Hustas, Julien Wilson, Doug Individual Lesson, Mid-Year Tech Exam, Recital, Workshop
• Understand and appreciate how the arts connect with
De Vries, Eugene Ball, Robert Venier, Niko Schauble, Julie Specialist Related Studies
the broader society and culture;
O’Hara, Steve Magnusson, Dave Beck, Nichaud Improvisation Materials, Recording Project
Fitzgibbon, Gian Slater, Nilusha Baeder, Kavisha Mazzella, • Demonstrate the ability to lead and take initiative in the Ensemble
Kutcha Edwards, Chris Hale, Phil Turcio, Jordan Murray, learning process. Small Ensemble, Large Ensemble
Tony Floyd and Craig Beard. Cross Departmental Modules
Four Modules
Centre For Ideas
THE CENTRE FOR IDEAS ALUMNI
The Centre for Ideas is a cross-disciplinary course at VCAM Improvisation Stream alumni are prominent music industry
(Southbank). All undergraduate students take a series of professionals working in a wide variety of contexts. Former
subjects as part of the degree structure. The Centre for students include Barney McAll, Craig Newman, Lachlan
Ideas offers students an exciting opportunity to acquire the Davidson, Daryl McKenzie, Fiona Burnett, Colin Hopkins,
knowledge and skills crucial to artistic development. The Alex Pertout, Rob Burke, Darryn Farrugia, Ben Robertson,
Centre for Ideas marks a radical departure from the Adrian Sheriff, Ian Chaplin, Ashley Cross, Rob Vincs, Steve
conventional teaching models in arts education. The Centre Hadley, Tim Stevens, Peter Petrucci, Sam Keevers, Stuart
for Ideas embraces the entire Southbank campus, and Campbell, Evripides Evripidou, Sue Johnson, Tim O’Dwyer,
provides a range of perspectives on contemporary culture. Steve Magnusson, Chris Hale, Felicity Provan, Julien
The Faculty of VCAM (Southbank) is unique in its Wilson, Phillip Rex, Belinda Moody, Adam Simmons, Yvette
Faculty of the VCA and Music
assemblage of different schools and artistic practices. The Johansson, Matt Clohesy, Gabrielle MacGregor, Monique (Southbank)
opportunity for students to mix and learn together in a new Di Mattina, Vicki King, Tamara Murphy, Steve Heather,
critical context provides a resource from which students will Andrea Keller, Tamil Rogeon, Nicola Eveleigh, Scott University of Melbourne
draw throughout their careers. Lambie, Barnaby Gold, Liz Cavanagh, Danny Fisher, Marc
There are two main principles for the Centre for Ideas:
Grunden, Tom Lee, Tim Wilson, Nilusha Baeder, Carlo
Barbaro, Anton Delecca, Gian Slater, Fran Swinn, Joe
Improvisation Stream
1. To expand the awareness of the critical discourse on art Talia, Shannon Barnett, Christopher Geneoux, Sonia
and practice, through a cross-disciplinary approach that Horbelt, Emma Gilmartin, Salvador Persico, Steve
includes historical, cultural, political and theoretical Sedergreen, Daniel Farrugia, Luke Howard, Aaron Choulai,
investigation. Greg Spence, Nathan Slater and Glen Cannon.
2. To deepen awareness of the creative process through VISITING ARTISTS
collaborative practice. The Improvisation Stream engages visiting artists to
complement the work and teaching of its academic staff.
With the Centre for Ideas, the Faculty of the VCA and These highly respected musicians, teachers and music
Music (Southbank) has introduced a dynamic model for industry professionals are invited to give masterclasses,
engaging critical thinking and collaborative practice. individual lessons and lectures, coach ensembles and
participate in the Stream’s performance life and annual
concert series. The incorporation of these individuals into
THE AUDITION PROCESS the Improvisation Stream’s annual activities assists in
The Improvisation Stream at the Faculty of the VCA and offering students insight into the professional world of these
Music (Southbank) seeks students whose talent and musicians.
commitment to excellence promise future achievement in Guests have included Joe Zawinul, Mike Stern, Mark
their chosen field. Students are selected on the basis of Levine, Sandy Evans, Paul Grabowsky, Hossam Ramzy,
their performance at competitive auditions held at VCAM Ralph Towner, Karaikudi Mani, Raul Rekow, Jeff ‘Train’
(Southbank). Applicants are asked to prepare two Watts, Yamandu Costa, Shane Howard, Jali Buba Kuyateh,
contrasting works which demonstrate their skills as Bob Mintzer, Lew Soloff, Chad Wackerman, Joe Geia,
performers and improvisers. The repertoire should include Lindsay Fields, John Hoffman, Tom E Lewis, Clayton
a standard from the jazz repertoire and a second choice Cameron, Niko Schauble, William Barton, Lou Bennett,
from the following list: an original piece composed by the Brandford Marsalis, Mark Isaacs, Kenneth Nash, Trilok
applicant, a work from other traditions, or a contemporary Gurtu, Anthony Field, Deborah Conway, David Jones,
popular piece incorporating improvisation. Applicants may Sweet Honey & The Rock, T.V. Vassan, Don Burrows, Al
also be asked to perform a solo improvisation. Cohn, Marcus Stockhausen, Graeme Lyall, Rainer
Bruninghaus, Roger Dean, Alistair Spence, Evan Parker,
Applicants are also required to submit a 100-word Christine Sullivan, Alexander Von Schlippenbach, Eugene
statement outlining musical goals and undergo a Chadbourne and Jim Denley.
performance related studies test to demonstrate knowledge
of basic theory. This test, which is administered by music CONTACT
staff as part of the audition process, is a means of Student & Academic Services
identifying applicants who may need additional help with Faculty of the VCA and Music (Southbank)
theoretical subjects if offered a place in the course. University of Melbourne
Applicants may be asked to identify and play scales and 234 St Kilda Road
arpeggios; identify and play chords on main instrument or Southbank VIC 3006
on piano; identify and sing intervals; sight-read a short Ph: 9685 9419 www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au
piece and sight read a rhythmical piece. email: mitchell@unimelb.edu.au