Make Music papers the main focus of your study
The Bachelor of Music (MusB) degree is a good option if you want Music papers to be the main focus.
There are several pathways and study areas in the MusB. The following diagrams are to assist students and prospective students in deciding the areas that are right for them.
Music Production, Songwriting and Composition pathways
Contemporary Performance, Classical Performance and Musicology/Ethnomusicology pathways
Papers in Music Performance (singing and instruments)
There are four main options for first-year students interested in studying performance.
1. Classical Music Performance options
For students interested in studying piano, strings, woodwind, brass, classical singing, bagpipes and Scottish drumming. Application and audition required.
- Classical Performance MUSI 141 Performance 1: full-year, 36 points (double the usual 18-point semester paper)
2. Contemporary (Pop/Rock) Performance options
For students interested in studying guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals. Application and audition required.
- Contemporary (pop/rock) Performance MUSI 146 Contemporary Performance 1: full-year, 36 points (double the usual 18-point semester paper)
3. Musical Theatre Singing Performance options
This is only available through the specialised Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) degree. Application and audition required.
- Musical Theatre Voice in PERF 102 Musical Theatre Voice 1A (semester one) and PERF 103 Musical Theatre Voice 1B (semester two)
Find out more about the Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) degree
4. Non-Western Music Performance options
It is also possible to take performance papers without making performance the main focus of your degree. A variety of non-Western music performance options are available through the paper MUSI 140 (and occasionally MUSI 141). These are Japanese taiko or koto, and Māori taonga pūoro. Learning is usually in small groups depending on numbers.
No audition or previous experience is required for entry to the paper MUSI 140. Occasionally students with significant previous experience in one of these areas may be permitted to take MUSI 141.
Contact us if you are interested in the non-Western performance options:
Email spa@otago.ac.nz
Find out more about learning instruments and vocals at Otago
Audition process and application forms for Classical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre Voice Performance
If you would like to focus on performing music you will need to complete an audition application form.
- Find out more about the audition process and application deadlines for our musical performance programmes
- Download an audition application form for Classical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre Voice Performance
It is sometimes possible for a student interested in classical or contemporary performance to take MUSI 140 instead of MUSI 141 or MUSI 146. This is usually an option when students do not have room for the 36-point paper. If this is the case, please discuss this option with a Music course advisor or the teacher you are auditioning for. However, usually, students auditioning for MUSI 141 and MUSI 146 are given priority over students wanting to take MUSI 140.
You must email us with details of the instrument and level you would like to study before you enrol in MUSI 140.
Study Music papers as well as papers from other subject areas
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major (or minor) in Music is a good option if you want to study papers from other subject areas as well.
If you want to study Music alongside Commerce or Science subjects, you can take Music as a major (or minor) as part of the Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom) or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degrees, respectively.
Study Music as part of a double degree
You can study Music as part of a double degree – for example a Bachelor of Music (MusB) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Study Music as a minor subject
You can study Music as a minor subject for a range of degrees, in a number of specialisations:
Study Music as stand-alone interest papers
You can add some Music papers to most degrees.
Music papers
Contact us to discuss your study options
You are strongly encouraged to speak with one of our Music course advisers before you enrol. Please email us for a list of advisers.
Email spa@otago.ac.nz
