Māori Music
The option of including Māori music in the BMus degree as a complete stream through the three levels of BMus study is unique to the University of Waikato. No other university anywhere offers a Bachelor of Music degree including this possibility.
As part of the BMus programme, students may opt to take either a stream of study focussing on Māori instrumental music or a stream focussing on Māori song and dance. In both cases, the course of study covers both traditional and modern music. All teaching in these courses is done by staff in the School of Māori and Pacific Development. Teaching is carried out in English, but Māori terminology is used as appropriate. Course work includes learning about the histories and protocols of Māori musical genres, and students then utilising this knowledge to create performances of their own.
Students choosing to include a stream of Māori Music in their academic BMus degrees will find it can complement fruitfully their studies in the other streams of Composition, Digital Music and Music History studies.
Students wishing to include one of the streams of Māori music in their BMus degrees still need to pass the compulsory core papers of the degree, including Harmony and Counterpoint 1, Musicianship 1, Composition 1, Introduction to Western Music and New Zealand Music.
Degrees
The two streams: Māori Musical Instruments in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts and Māori Song and Dance in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts can only be studied as part of the Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree. Students can choose one stream or the other, not both.
Core Undergraduate papers in Māori Musical Instruments in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts are:
MAOR100 Te Reo Māori me one Tikanga: The Māori Language and its Customs
This paper is designed to introduce the student to basic Māori culture through elementary Māori language, and the Māori customs demonstrated by that language. Students will gain experience of Māori culture, mythology and traditions through the language learned.
or
TIKA163 Te Ao Tawhito, Te Ao Hou: Introduction to Traditional and Contemporary Māori Society
A study of Māori myths and traditions, kinship, social organisation and customs with comparisons of traditional and contemporary Māori society, noting changes and adaptations in the cultural context
TIKA241 Te Ao Oro: The Māori World of Sound
This paper introduces students to the traditional instruments of the Maori and the connection to the Māori world. A practical element is included which encourages students to make their own instruments and start to learn how to create compositions.
TIKA341 Nga Taonga Puoro mai i te Ao Tawhito ki te Ao Hou: Ancient and Contemporary Music of the Māori
A study of ancient and contemporary vocal and instrumental traditions of the Māori.
Core Undergraduate papers in Māori Song and Dance in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts are:
TIKA153 Mahi Whakaari Hou: Performing Arts – A Contemporary Perspective
An introduction to the historical development and application of Māori contemporary dance and their significance in an evolving Māori culture. Students will be encouraged to create and perform new works.
or
TIKA157 Mahi Whakaari Tawhito: Performing Arts – An Ancient Perspective
This is an introduction to Māori performing arts and Māori creation stories and history focusing on movement, sound, intent and light with some exploration of ancient Māori music, art, literature and theatre. This paper will introduce the historical development, application and significance of ancient Maori song and dance within an evolving Māori culture. Students will research ancient Māori epistemologies and incorporate learned ancient elements into their own created piece for performance.
TIKA253 Toi Kori: The Art of Movement - Māori Song and Dance Theatre
This paper extensively focuses on the development and consolidation of voice and movement techniques encompassing both traditional and contemporary Māori performing art, song, dance and theatre. There shall be a critical research analysis of existing Māori song and dance theatre integrating choreography, composition, performance and stagecraft skills. Particular emphasis will be on the process and practice of te reo kori (the language of Māori movement).
or
TIKA257 Kapa Haka: Noble Dance of the Māori
This paper focuses on the practical and theoretical aspects of kapa haka (body movement, music, rhythm and singing), waiata-a-ringa; moteatea; poi and haka. Students will research and critically analyse the composition, words and rhythm of a Māori waiata-a-ringa. Students will be encouraged to learn and utilise music skills to support the learning of traditional and contemporary songs that shall enhance the creation and performance of new set pieces.
TIKA357 Nga Mahi a Rehia: Leisure Pursuits of the Māori
This paper focuses on the practical and theoretical aspects and elements of traditional and contemporary Māori performance, games and pastimes. Content will include research, movement, music, games, rhythm and singing. Students wil research, compose, create, develop and perform their own work encompassing and advancing their music and performance skills.
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