Study Music courses

The Classical Composition major is designed for students who want to explore and refine their creative voice through writing music for a wide range of instruments, ensembles and settings. By the end of your degree, you’ll have developed a portfolio of original, notated pieces that showcase your skills in pitch, rhythm, harmony, form and instrumentation.

What you’ll learn

Through one-on-one lessons, small group tutorials and seminars held at the world-class Hedberg facility, you’ll study:

• Specialist compositional techniques
• Orchestration and instrumentation
• Contemporary music repertoire and analysis
• The work of influential composers and emerging voices
• How to respond to creative briefs and write for specific performers or ensembles

You’ll be encouraged to experiment, revise and refine your work, developing a personal compositional style grounded in strong technique and artistic intention.

Collaboration and Performance Opportunities

Composition students collaborate with their peers, resulting in performance opportunities held in the Ian Potter Recital Hall, learning how to write for a brief while developing individual well-crafted work. You are also encouraged to compose for Conservatorium ensembles such as the Hedberg Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and chamber groups.

You’ll also engage with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO) through workshops, rehearsals and concerts. These experiences may lead to commissions, performances and even publication opportunities with TSO players and other professional ensembles.

A Supportive Creative Environment

At the Hedberg, you’ll be part of a vibrant and inclusive creative community. Our teaching staff are experienced composers and educators who are committed to helping you grow as an artist. Whether you’re interested in concert music, experimental sound, film scoring or interdisciplinary collaboration, you’ll be supported in developing your unique musical voice.

Career Outcomes

• Composer – writing for ensembles, soloists, film, theatre, games and multimedia
• Arranger or Orchestrator – adapting music for different ensembles and contexts
• Music Director or Artistic Curator – leading creative projects and programming performances
• Music Copyist or Editor – preparing professional scores and parts for publication or performance
• Sound Artist or Interdisciplinary Collaborator – working across visual arts, dance, theatre and digital media
• Music Educator – teaching composition and theory in schools, universities or community settings
• Postgraduate Researcher – pursuing further study in composition, musicology or creative practice

Coordinator: Associate Professor Maria Grenfell

The Classical Performance major offers a strong foundation for a life enriched by music. Whether you aspire to become a professional performer, music teacher, arts administrator or researcher, or simply want to deepen your instrumental or vocal skills, this program supports your goals in a structured and inspiring environment.

We welcome you to our Conservatorium. Encouraging community over competition, we facilitate individual development through flexible repertoire requirements negotiated between students and their instrumental tutors.

Individual and Ensemble Training

Through weekly one-on-one lessons and performance workshops, you’ll explore music from both historical and contemporary perspectives. You’ll develop your technical, interpretative and performance skills in solo and ensemble settings, including:

• Hedberg Ensemble
• Wind Ensemble
• Vocal Ensemble
• Collaborative piano
• Chamber music groups

Many of our tutors are also performers with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, bringing professional insight and mentorship to your studies.

Performance and Industry Opportunities

You’ll develop performances for public concerts in the Ian Potter Recital Hall, having explored in weekly rehearsals the creative potential of this facility’s cutting-edge reverberation control (Yamaha’s AFC Enhance). This cutting-edge technology allows you to explore the creative potential of sound in a professional-standard environment.

You’ll have regular opportunities to perform in public concerts and collaborate with fellow students. You’ll also benefit from our strong relationships with professional organisations, including:

• Workshops, rehearsals and concerts with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
• Collaborative projects with Tasmanian Youth Orchestras
• Access to the vibrant music and arts scene in Hobart

Areas of Study

We offer training in:

• Voice (including musical theatre repertoire)
• Strings
• Woodwind
• Brass
• Percussion
• Guitar
• Piano

For instrumentalists, we recommend an entry level equivalent to AMEB Grade 6, with music literacy around AMEB Theory or Musicianship Grades 3–4. These standards are indicative rather than required – even if you are still progressing towards that standard, we strongly encourage you to apply. So long as you are committed to developing your skills, we are confident you will flourish from your time at the Conservatorium.

Career Outcomes

• Professional Performer – soloist, ensemble or orchestral musician
• Music Educator – in schools, studios or community settings
• Arts Administrator or Producer – managing concerts, festivals or cultural programs
• Music Therapist – with further training
• Music Journalist or Broadcaster – writing and speaking about music
• Postgraduate Researcher – in performance, pedagogy or musicology

Coordinator: Associate Professor Arabella Teniswood-Harvey

The Dual Practice major offers a unique opportunity to develop your creative voice across two areas of musical expertise. Whether you want to grow as a multi-instrumentalist, refine your performance and recording skills, or compose music in a variety of styles, this flexible major equips you to become a versatile and well-rounded music specialist.

Tailored to Your Interests

Studying Dual Practice gives you access to a program tailored to your interests, allowing you to develop two areas of your creative practice simultaneously. You can choose any two of the following specialised fields:

• Jazz and Popular Music Performance
• Classical Performance
• Songwriting
• Music Technology
• Classical Composition
• Film Scoring and Music for Media

Integrated Learning Experience

Throughout your studies, you will receive individual lessons in both areas of focus, attend creative workshops, and participate in a wide range of collaborative music-making activities. Our ensemble program includes both small and large group experiences, such as chamber ensembles, music tech/studio band, the Jazz and Popular Big Band, and the Hedberg Ensemble.

You'll also have opportunities to present your work publicly in the Ian Potter Recital Hall and explore the creative potential of our professional recording studios and the advanced reverberation control system, Yamaha’s AFC Enhance.

Career Outcomes

• Performer – across multiple genres and instruments
• Composer or Songwriter – for stage, screen, or commercial release
• Music Producer or Sound Engineer – in studio or live settings
• Music Educator – in schools, studios, or community programs
• Collaborative Artist – working across disciplines and media
• Music Director or Arranger – for ensembles, theatre, or media
• Creative Entrepreneur – launching your own projects, labels, or services

Coordinator: Alistair Dobson

The Film Scoring and Music for Media major is designed for students who want to compose, produce, and deliver music for screen, games, and digital media. This program offers a focused, creative, and supportive environment that prepares you for a professional career in media music.

Comprehensive Industry-Focused Training

You’ll gain hands-on experience across all aspects of modern media music production. Our teaching staff are active professionals with international industry experience, bringing real-world insight into every aspect of the course. Areas of study include:

• Composition, orchestration, and arranging for media
• Sequencing and synthestration
• Music and sound recording
• Post-production and location audio
• Sound design and commercial implementation
• Music business and project workflow from concept to completion

World-Class Facilities

Based at the Hedberg, you’ll have access to some of the best music production facilities in the country. These include:

• Two large professional playing rooms, a vocal booth, and direct connectivity to the Ian Potter Recital Hall and the Salon for real-world scoring stage experience on both sides of the glass.
• An API Legacy 48-channel console, paired with a wide range of microphones, preamps, outboard gear, and instruments
• Five smaller production suites for creating mockups, editing, overdubbing, and creative development

These spaces are designed to mirror professional environments, giving you the tools and experience to produce industry-standard work.

This major is your launchpad into the world of screen composition and audio production.

Career Outcomes

• Film and TV Composer – writing original scores for screen
• Game Audio Designer – creating adaptive and interactive music for games
• Media Music Producer – producing music for advertising, streaming, and digital platforms
• Orchestrator or Arranger – preparing scores for live or recorded performance
• Sound Designer – crafting audio environments for media and performance
• Music Editor or Post-Production Specialist – working in film, broadcast, or streaming
• Freelance Composer or Creative Entrepreneur – building your own projects and collaborations

Coordinator: Dr Matthew Boden

The Jazz and Popular Music Performance major offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a wide range of contemporary music styles and genres. With a strong focus on both vocal and instrumental performance, this major is designed to prepare you for a creative career in today’s music industry.

Individualised Training with Industry Professionals

At the heart of the program is one-on-one tuition with experienced, industry-leading teaching staff. These personalised lessons are supported by weekly workshops and performance classes, where you’ll receive valuable feedback from both your tutors and peers. This combination of individual attention and collaborative learning helps you grow as a confident and expressive performer.

Integrated Musicianship and Theory

Your performance training is complemented by carefully curated theoretical studies. These classes are designed to develop practical, applied skills that directly support your creative practice, helping you understand and communicate musical ideas with clarity and confidence.

Collaborative Music-Making Opportunities

A variety of collaborative music making opportunities are available that include both small and large ensembles as well as the opportunity to collaborate with songwriters, film scorers and music technologists in our state of art recording studios.

World-Class Facilities at the Hedberg

You’ll rehearse, perform, and record in the Hedberg’s state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• Specialist recording studios
• The Ian Potter Recital Hall, featuring Yamaha’s AFC Enhance, advanced reverberation control system

These spaces provide the perfect environment to explore your creative potential and develop high-quality performance and recording projects.

Whether you’re aiming to perform, record, compose, or teach, the Jazz and Popular Music major equips you with the skills, experience, and industry insight to an exciting life as a professional in the world of creative music practice

Career Outcomes

• Professional Performer – in bands, ensembles, or as a solo artist
• Session Musician – for live or studio work
• Music Educator – in schools, studios, or community programs
• Composer or Arranger – for live performance, media, or commercial projects
• Recording Artist or Producer – creating and releasing original music
• Music Director or Band Leader – guiding creative projects and ensembles
• Creative Entrepreneur – launching your own music ventures or services

Coordinator: Mr Alistair Dobson

Music Technology

The Music Technology major offers a comprehensive and forward-thinking education in sound, music production and audio technology, preparing you for a dynamic career in the professional music and audio industries. Based at the Hedberg, (Hobart) a $110 million state of the art creative facility, this major gives you unrivalled access to cutting-edge infrastructure and expert mentorship in a collaborative and supportive environment.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll explore all aspects of music technology, from studio recording and live sound to electronic music production, sound design and audio postproduction. Our curriculum is designed to balance technical mastery with creative exploration, helping you develop the skills to produce music and sound that serve the artistic vision of any project.

Expert Teaching Staff

Our lecturers are active professionals with deep industry experience across:

• Music and sound recording
• Audio postproduction
• Location audio
• Electronic music and DJing
• Sound design
• Live audio
• Music business and entrepreneurship

World-Class Facilities at the Hedberg

Students benefit from hands-on access to an exceptional range of professional-grade spaces and equipment, including:

• Studio Cluster
  Featuring an API Legacy recording console, a vast inventory of microphones, outboard gear and instruments, this space supports high-end recording, mixing and production.
• Recital Hall
  Equipped with an 84-speaker spatial audio system, Meyer MINA PA and Yamaha PM7 live mixing consoles, this venue is ideal for immersive sound experiences and live performance production.
• Smaller Studio Spaces
  Perfect for overdubbing, editing and creative experimentation, these studios support individual and collaborative projects across a range of styles and formats.

A Supportive and Inclusive Learning Environment

We welcome students from all musical and cultural backgrounds, and we value the diversity of interests and experiences you bring. Whether you’re passionate about electronic music, film sound, live events or studio production, you’ll find a place here.

Career Outcomes

Potential career pathways include:

• Studio Engineer or Producer – working in commercial or independent recording environments
• Live Sound Engineer – mixing and managing audio for concerts, festivals and events
• Electronic Music Producer or DJ – creating and performing original music
• Sound Designer – crafting audio for film, games, theatre and interactive media
• Audio Postproduction Specialist – editing and mixing sound for screen and broadcast
• Music Technologist or Technician – supporting music production in educational or commercial settings
• Music Entrepreneur – launching your own creative projects, labels or services

Coordinator: Mr Stewart Long

This major is designed for aspiring songwriters who want to develop their creative voice while gaining the technical, collaborative and professional skills needed to thrive in today’s music industry. Through weekly songwriting classes, you’ll explore the core elements of songwriting including lyric and melody writing, harmony and song structure. You’ll engage with a wide variety of genres and styles, helping you become a versatile and confident writer.

Develop Your Craft

Through weekly songwriting classes, you’ll explore the core elements of songwriting including:

• Lyric and melody writing
• Harmony and song structure
• Genre and stylistic diversity

You’ll build a strong creative toolkit by drawing from established songwriting conventions while being encouraged to refine your own artistic identity.

Each week, you’ll take part in a supportive songwriting workshop where you can share works in progress with peers and mentors. These sessions are designed to foster a safe, constructive environment where feedback is collaborative and growth-focused.

You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate with performers, producers and technologists, helping you bring your songs to life in studio and live settings.

Perform and Record Your Work

Your songs will be showcased at the end of each semester in a public Songwriter Showcase, a celebration of your creative development. You’ll also have access to professional recording studios and performance spaces at the Hedberg, where you can explore the full potential of your work in a real-world creative environment.

Throughout the course, you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your creative process, take creative risks and develop your voice as a songwriter in a nurturing learning environment.

Career Outcomes

• Professional Songwriter – writing for solo artists, bands, film, television, advertising or theatre
• Recording Artist – developing and performing your own original material
• Composer or Lyricist – working across media such as games, film, TV and digital content
• Music Producer or Arranger – shaping the sound and structure of songs in studio settings
• Creative Collaborator – co-writing and producing with other artists and musicians
• Music Educator or Workshop Facilitator – teaching songwriting in schools, community programs or private settings
• Music Publisher or A&R Representative – scouting talent and developing songwriters for labels or publishing houses

Whether you’re aiming to write songs, compose for screen or stage, or build a career as an independent artist, this major provides the foundation, mentorship and industry insight to help you succeed.

Coordinator: Jacky Collyer

In the major, explore interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that underpin the development of sustainable societies and solutions. Informed by international and local research, practice, and theory, this major allows you to develop specialist expertise across the physical and social sciences and humanities, emphasising student-led and problem-based learning.

It provides the frameworks for developing sustainability-oriented solutions in a range of fields and is relevant to a wide range of careers.

Choosing a double degree allows you to deepen your knowledge within two separate study areas. This means you can pursue your career and follow your passion at the same time. And when you graduate, you’ll have a set of skills that will really set you apart.

Our Music students have paired a Bachelor of Music with a range of different options including a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, a Bachelor of Business, and a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology.

Visit the Double Degrees page to learn more.

For honours course information, please visit Bachelor of Music with Honours

If you're interested in becoming a secondary teacher in music, you'll need to complete a Bachelor's degree in the relevant area and then apply for a Master of Teaching . This is an accredited course.