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Master of Music
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Studying for a Master of Music at Waikato gives you the skills you need to pursue a music career and work as a professional musician. You'll focus on musical composition or musical performance.
Why study the Master of Music?
The Master of Music (MMus) is designed for students who've already gained an Honours-level qualification in Music. It's an advanced, one-year programme of study. You'll be guided by experts who will supervise you in individual sessions. You'll complete substantial-sized tasks focused on your chosen area of specialty. During this process, you'll develop your skills and expertise, and show an understanding of the content of your work. You'll also develop the attributes you need to work in this field.
Is your passion for performing music? During your MMus, you'll learn how to work towards a public musical recital, right up to the actual performance. This process involves planning and preparation, the integration of music research with performance, and you'll develop skills to be able to demonstrate each step leading up to your recital.
Are you more interested in composition? You'll be given the opportunity to create a significant body of original music. You'll develop the skills to write music to a professional standard, suitable for being performed in public at a concert or similar event.
Links with Music Professionals and Associations
When you study for your MMus at Waikato, you'll have opportunities to network with professional groups working in the music industry. You'll be able to participate in your musical field and this will help you grow as a professional musician.
Are you interested in orchestral work? Waikato's MMus programme has links with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Opus Orchestra. There are links with Chamber Music New Zealand and Opera New Zealand. In terms of local groups, Waikato has links with the Hamilton School of Instrumental Music, the Hamilton Community Centre of Music, the Waikato Museum Concert Series, Arts Waikato and the Hamilton Civic Choir.
As far as other music-related groups and associations go, Waikato has connections with Atoll Records, New Zealand Institute of Registered Music Teachers, Radio New Zealand Concert, the Composers Association of New Zealand and the New Zealand Music Examinations Board.
There are links with international organisations, including publishing companies: the Computer Music Journal (MIT Press, USA), Australasia Computer Music Association, Electronic Music Foundation (USA) and the Sonic Arts Network (UK). Also from overseas, there are links to Oxford Music on Line (Oxford Uni Press), Cambridge, UK, St Paul's Concert Series, Herne Hill, London, the Interlochen Arts Academy, USA and the Australian Centre for Interactive Design – Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
Career Opportunities
By the end of your MMus, you'll be working at a professional level in your chosen field. If your passion is performance, you may choose to pursue a career as a studio musician or solo performer, in a chamber group or orchestra, or do experimental or theatrical work. You may prefer to go on to work in broadcasting or in radio, television or recording production. Perhaps you'd like to work in film or video music production, or in multi-media creation. You could alternatively work as a musical director or producer.
You may use your MMus to work in a role as an arts administrator, communications coordinator or in community development (for tribal authorities). You may like to work in human-computer interface development or as an educator, in the primary, secondary or tertiary sectors. Perhaps you'd like to work as a journalist or as a librarian or information consultant and music technician.
Degree information
Following the successful completion of the BMus(Hons) you may apply to enrol for the Master of Music (MMus). This degree is awarded with classes of honours. The MMus involves one year of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Candidates for the MMus must have at least second class honours (second division) in their BMus(Hons) degrees. The MMus is taken in Composition, Opera or Performance. Students are required to take either MUSIC514 or MUSIC524.
Please consult the Music Graduate Adviser for specific admission criteria.
MMus – Opera
Entry to the programme is by audition only.
A BMus or academic equivalent is required along with a proven ability as a singer of promise with evidence provided at the time of application consisting of:
- Curricula Vitae
- Links to 2 or more video recordings of performances
- Up to two references from a teacher or opera practitioner (these need to be sent directly to us at tepaekokako@waikato.ac.nz or your referees can complete the Referee form for TANZOS Applicants form).
- Audition requirements: Applicants will be required to present three contrasting opera arias from memory to a select audition panel. The panel may also engage in a discussion with the applicant during the audition.
Information about how to apply to the TANZOS programme.
Applications for 2025 are now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 15 July, 2024.
Estimated fees
$8,276 - $9,137 per year
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costsScholarships
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Relevant as of 02 July 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.
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Te Pae Kōkako - The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS)
This new, immersive MMus programme provides exceptionally promising young opera singers with international-level training and experience, from both national and visiting international tutors, and industry residencies in NZ and abroad.