Music
Why study Music?
If music is your passion, then Waikato has a programme of study to suit. We teach Western Classical Music – from Baroque to contemporary, through performance, composition and musical scholarship. If you're inclined to the modern, we offer papers in sonic art and new technologies.
Our staff are highly qualified professionals, active nationally and internationally as composers, performers and musicologists. Music is their passion too, and our common aim is to help you develop the technique and understanding you'll need to reach your full musical potential.
Waikato's Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts will be your stage throughout your studies. Situated on the Hamilton campus, the academy is an award-winning performing arts venue.
Career Opportunities
- Advertiser
- Broadcaster
- Composer
- Digital Media Producer
- Film Music Composer or Producer
- Performer
- Recording Artist
Hamilton
In 2023, most 100 and 200-level BMus papers are also offered in Tauranga.
Practical experience
You will receive lessons and be able to perform, and have your works performed, in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, through events such as the annual opera production, our contemporary music ensemble – Okta, the Lilburn Trust Student Composition Awards, weekly lunchtime recitals and performance hours.
Our Music programme has excellent facilities available for you to rehearse and compose, the electroacoustic music studios are of an international standard. A long-standing feature of the Music programme is our commitment to integrate the latest technological developments throughout the programme as appropriate.
Subject Requirements
Music is available in streams for the BMus and as a major for the BA. Music may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Music as a single major for the BA, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Music, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include MUSIC112; at least one of MUSIC115, MUSIC117, MUSIC119, MUSIC140; and at least one of MUSIC213, MUSIC215, MUSIC222, MUSIC240 and MUSIC314.
To complete Music as part of a double major, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Music, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level including MUSIC112; at least one of MUSIC115, MUSIC117, MUSIC119, MUSIC140; and at least one of MUSIC213, MUSIC215, MUSIC222, MUSIC240 and MUSIC314.
To complete a minor in Music, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Music major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.
Music is available in streams for the BMus.
To complete a BMus (Academic), students must complete 90 papers from Music, and 135 points from elective papers.
To complete a BMus (Performance), students must complete MUSIC118, MUSIC120, MUSIC121; and MUSIC218, MUSIC220, MUSIC221, MUSIC227; and MUSIC318, MUSIC320, MUSIC321, MUSIC327 and 60 points from elective papers.
To complete a BMus (Composition), students must complete MUSIC140; and MUSIC219, MUSIC222, and MUSIC323; and 30 points from either MUSIC240 and MUSIC340 or MUSIC215 and MUSIC315 and 30 points from Music list and 105 points from elective papers.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: alpss@waikato.ac.nz
Details of streams for the Performance programme are set out in the Bachelor of Music.
If you wish to undertake performance papers as part of your Music major or if you would like a specialist Music qualification you will enrol in the Bachelor of Music.
Within the BMus, a Soloist specialisation is available. Details of the specialisation can be found in the Bachelor of Music.
All students enrolled for the BMus or the BA majoring in Music are required to participate in group performances, either by singing in the University Chamber Choir or playing in the University Orchestra. Participation in the Choir or Orchestra may be counted towards MUSIC227 Music Ensemble 1 or MUSIC327 Performance Ensemble 2.
Notes:
- All BMus students enrolled in first year Music papers should have skills in reading and writing music to Grade 3 level (NZMEB, AMEB) or Grade 5 level (Royal Schools, Trinity College). Candidates must gain at least 60 points at 100 level in any subject(s) before enrolling in Music papers above 100 level, and at least 90 points at 100 and 200 level before enrolling in Music papers above 200 level.
- Assessment: Failure to achieve a pass in any Performance, Performance Techniques, or Chamber Music papers will result in the need to re-audition for entry to Performance or Chamber Music streams. Students wishing to enter the Performance stream at any level will be required to audition.
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships