Pursuing a Bachelor of Music can be a personally transformative journey that unlocks an exciting world of performance, collaboration, melody and rhythm. In practical terms, however, it’s also how you learn a wide variety of industry skills that are essential to a career. For many musicians, regardless of their instrument or genre, studying music via a Bachelor’s degree is often an important first step in making that dream a reality.
In this article, we’ll explore the wide range of professional skills and enriching experiences that await you when you embark on this musical adventure.
But first… which Bachelor of Music do you want to study?
Before we go any further, it’s important to mention that many music schools, universities and colleges offer different types of Bachelor of Music degrees depending on your field. For example, at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), there are five different Bachelor of Music courses on offer:
- Bachelor of Music – Performance
- Bachelor of Music – Composition
- Bachelor of Music – Arts Management
- Bachelor of Music – Creative Technology (Audio)
- Bachelor of Music – Musicology
If you study a Bachelor of Music focused on performance, you will also be required to choose your instrument and music genre from the very beginning. So, what you learn during the course of your degree will depend on the early choices you make.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the fundamentals that you will learn across virtually every Bachelor of Music, regardless of which area you specialise in.
Arts Management
Whether it’s your dream to become a classical musician, a singer-songwriter or an agent, you need to learn the basics of business management within the context of the music industry. An Arts Management Bachelor of Music will introduce you to some foundational arts management skills and knowledge such as; music publishing, business planning and strategy, marketing and social media, arts and entertainment law, entrepreneurship and financial management.
Creative Technology – Audio
In today’s digital age, technology plays a crucial role in music production and performance. Even if you’re playing Mozart on a 300-year-old Cello, your performance will be recorded, filtered and edited using the latest technologies and so it’s essential to understand how that process works. With a Creative Technology Bachelor of Music (audio), you will learn to use audio production and engineering software, recording equipment, and other cutting-edge tools used every day in the industry.
Composition
As a Composition Bachelor of Music student, you’ll also have the opportunity to unleash your creative side. From composing original pieces to arranging existing compositions for different instruments or ensembles, you’ll have the opportunity to experiment and innovate. Plus, you will learn to use the digital software and new media tools essential for composing today.
Music History and Contemporary Genres
Within a typical Bachelor of Music, you will get to choose from a wide range of elective subjects, each of which addresses an important field of music still relevant to the industry today. From classical masterpieces to jazz, music theatre or pop, you’ll gain a profound appreciation for the cultural and social context that shaped the music we know and love today. Some degrees even offer locally specific music history subjects: at AIM, in addition to a range of history and genre electives you can also study Australian Music.
Music Theory and Analysis
At the core of any Bachelor of Music program lies the study of musical theory and analysis. You’ll delve into the fundamentals of music, such as reading sheet music, understanding time signatures, key signatures, and learning about scales and chords. By gaining a deep understanding of musical structure, you’ll be equipped to interpret and analyse various genres and compositions with a trained ear.
Performance and Instrumental Skills
If you choose a Bachelor of Music that’s focused around performance, you can expect intensive coaching of your voice or instrument throughout your degree program. With the Bachelor of Music Performance at AIM, for example, you receive full-time, one-on-one coaching in your instrument of choice. Through regular practice and with guidance from coaches, you’ll develop technical proficiency and stage presence, preparing you for a career in front of an audience.
Ensemble and Collaboration
Collaboration lies at the heart of music-making. During your Bachelor of Music studies, you’ll have the chance to participate in regular collaborative projects and ensembles. At AIM, Bachelor of Music students collaborate every year on diverse performances, as well as group recordings and band sessions throughout the year. These experiences not only allow you to practise working with others but also create lasting connections and friendships within the music community.
Music Pedagogy
Music pedagogy is an essential subject on offer within virtually all Bachelor of Music degrees, no matter what your specialisation or genre happens to be. For those interested in teaching music, you’ll learn how to impart your knowledge and passion for music to students of all ages and skill levels.
Enrolling in a bachelor’s degree to study music is an exciting first step towards unlocking your full musical potential. Not only will you gain essential knowledge and skills, you get to form a close community of classmates and staff, practise performance and collaboration, and learn all the new technologies essential to music production today.
Whether it’s your dream to perform your own music, compose, manage artists or teach the next generation of musicians, a Bachelor of Music offers a well-rounded and industry-relevant education that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to follow your passion.
If you’re dreaming of a music career, take a look at some of the Bachelor of Music variations on offer at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), Sydney and Melbourne; one of Australia’s leading music schools.
Join us for an exciting Open Day at AIM Sydney & Melbourne!
AIM’s Open Day is your golden ticket to uncover the captivating world of music and its boundless potential. Whether you’re a passionate performer, a budding songwriter, or a tech-savvy music producer, this event is tailor-made for you!
