University of Tasmania, Australia

Information for parents and students

The High Achiever Program in Music is a pre-tertiary initiative of the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music replacing the previous Prelude and Overture programs. In co-operation with participating schools, the HAP Program in Music aims to identify exceptional Tasmanian music students in their final years of high school and provide an extension program for a small number of students allowing them to participate in some classes through the Conservatorium of Music concurrently with Year 12 study for the TCE certificate. The study at the Conservatorium is intended to supplement school music studies and a pathway for High Achievers building on the music study available to students through the UTAS College Program.  It is the expectation that all applicants to participate in the High Achiever Program in Music will have completed FCP113 Foundation Practical Study in Year 11 through the UTAS College Program.  Participation in the High Achiever Program will provide a seamless transition to tertiary study and there is a clear expectation that students participating in the High Achiever Program in Music will continue their studies at the University of Tasmania Conservatorium when they have completed their TCE.

Areas of study

The High Achiever Program in Music is intended for Year 12 instrumentalists, vocalists and composers in either Classical or Contemporary modes.  Tuition follows the University academic year and it is possible for students to continue studying their instrument or composition with their current teacher.  The units that can be taken under the auspices of the program are those in the schedule of first year units in the Bachelor of Music.  There is a maximum load of 50% (4x12.5% units) across the entire year (including spring, summer and winter semesters) and most students selected for the program will take one solo performance (eg. FCM101 Performance 1A) or one composition unit (FCM114 Composition 1A) in semester 2.  All enrolments are subject to the approval of the Co-ordinator of the HAP Program in Music.

Minimum entry standards and selection criteria

Students wishing to apply for a place in the High Achiever Program must generally have completed FCP110 Foundation Practical Study through the UTAS College Program as part of their Year 11 study. The application form must be endorsed by the school principal.

The minimum entry standards for consideration for the High Achiever Program in Music are:

• A distinction or high distinction result in FCP113 Foundation Practical Study OR
  an A result for AMEB Grade 7 practical examination
• Good academic results over most recent 12 months of study and outstanding commitment to school-based and community music activities relative to opportunity.
• Clear indication of the ability to manage the demands of simultaneous tertiary and pre-tertiary study as deemed by the school principal and/or school music teachers.

All application forms must be accompanied by:

• transcripts of Year 11 school reports, examination certificates and any other relevant documentation
• in the case of composition applicants, a folio of recent compositions
• a letter of recommendation from the student’s current instrumental, vocal or composition teacher
• a letter of recommendation from the student’s current school music teacher

Applicants satisfying the above criteria will take the Conservatorium written entrance test, aural tests and interview. Sample questions for the written test can be seen on the Audition Information sheet for the Bachelor of Music. Students who have not completed FCP113 Foundation Practical Study at the time of application will be required to perform a live audition. Students are asked to prepare 3 contrasting pieces (15 mins) for this audition.

Costs

Students selected for participation in theHigh Achiever Program will be enrolled in a University course but will not attract fees under HECS for those units undertaken under the auspices of the program. Where individual instrumental, vocal or composition lessons are taken with other than Conservatorium staff the cost of individual tuition would be the responsibility of the student or their college/school in most instances.

Assessment

Students in the High Achiever Program will be subject to the same assessment criteria, processes and policies as all other students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music. Unit outlines setting out the requirements and the assessment criteria for each unit undertaken will be given to students at the beginning of each semester.

University Credit

The High Achiever Program in Music provides a strong incentive for students to continue in the Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Tasmania Conservatorium when they have completed their TCE. Any units satisfactorily completed under the High Achiever Program are automatically credited towards the degree requirements of the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Music thereby reducing the number of units required for completion of the degree. Students participating in the High Achiever Program may gain credit for up to 4x12.5% units in the Bachelor of Music across any given academic year.

For information on how units taken in the HAP Program in Music may contribute to the TER score please refer to the HAP website.

Contact information

The co-ordinator of the High Achiever Program at the Conservatorium is Dr Anne-Marie Forbes. She may be contacted for further information on +61 3 6226 7351 or by email at the following address a.forbes@utas.edu.au.

The program is run in co-operation with schools and regular feedback will be sought from the school to monitor student workload and performance.

Useful Links:

Application Form (DOC 105.5KB)