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Study Performance at Otago

    Develop your performing potential.

    Our music performance programmes develop a student’s performing potential through lessons and workshops under expert staff guidance.

    Performance at Otago

    There are performance pathways in Classical Performance (piano, strings, woodwind, brass and classical singing), and Contemporary (pop/rock) Performance (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals). There is also a World Music Performance pathway (Highland piping and drumming, Taonga Puoro, Gamelan and Taiko ensembles) that is available within any degree.

    The performance programme offers a supportive and inspiring environment in which instrumental or vocal technique and musical awareness are fostered and promoted. Many performance students have achieved outstanding national and international success, based upon the foundations obtained from their Otago training.

    There are regular performance opportunities both within the University's public music programmes and in the community.

    Performance is an endorsement (specialisation) option for the Bachelor of Music (MusB).

    Auditions

    An audition is required for students seeking to enrol in the following papers: MUSI 140, MUSI 143, MUSI 144.

    Students who have not studied Performance Music at Otago previously will need to audition before being admitted to 200- or 300-level Performance papers.

    Audition information for Music and Bachelor of Performing Arts programmes.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    MUSI papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    MUSI101 2025 Materials of Music 1 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI103 2025 Popular Music 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI104 2025 World Music 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI105 2025 Music Matters in Human Life 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI131 2025 Composition 1 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI132 2025 Music Production 1 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    MUSI135 2025 Songwriting 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI140 2025 Performance Studies 1 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year
    MUSI143 2025 Instrumental or Vocal Performance 1 18 points Full Year
    MUSI144 2025 Music Ensemble 1 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI191 2025 Introduction to Music 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI201 2025 Materials of Music 2 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI207 2025 Radical Works 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI232 2025 Music Production 2 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI233 2025 Electronic Music Production 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI234 2025 Contemporary Composition 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI240 2025 Performance Studies 2 18 points Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year
    MUSI243 2025 Instrumental or Vocal Performance 2 18 points Full Year
    MUSI244 2025 Music Ensemble 2 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI249 2025 Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI259 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI260 2025 Special Topic 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI266 2025 Film Music 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI267 2025 Music in Aotearoa 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI268 2025 Performance in Asia and the Pacific 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI269 2025 Popular Music 2 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI307 2025 Radical Works (Advanced) 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI310 2025 Materials of Music 3 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI331 2025 Composition Projects 36 points Full Year
    MUSI332 2025 Music Production 3 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI333 2025 Electronic Music Production (Advanced) 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI334 2025 Music Production Projects 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI340 2025 Performance Studies 3 18 points Semester 1, Full Year
    MUSI343 2025 Instrumental or Vocal Performance 3 36 points Full Year
    MUSI344 2025 Music Ensemble 3 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI349 2025 Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI366 2025 Film Music 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI367 2025 Music in Aotearoa (Advanced) 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI368 2025 Performance in Asia and the Pacific 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI369 2025 Popular Music 3 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI371 2025 Research Methods and Approaches 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI375 2025 Music Performance Pedagogy 18 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI379 2025 Performance, Health and Well-being 18 points Semester 2
    MUSI386 2025 Community Project 18 points Semester 1
    MUSI440 2025 Performance Studies 4 30 points Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year
    MUSI443 2025 Creative Project 60 points Full Year
    MUSI471 2025 Research Methods and Approaches (Advanced) 30 points Semester 2
    MUSI475 2025 Music Performance Pedagogy (Advanced) 30 points Not offered in 2025
    MUSI479 2025 Performance, Health and Well-being (Advanced) 30 points Semester 2
    MUSI486 2025 Community Project (Advanced) 30 points Semester 1
    MUSI487 2025 Creative Practice 30 points Semester 2
    MUSI490 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year
    MUSI590 2025 Research Dissertation 60 points 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 21 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026)

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    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.

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