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An introduction to key techniques and concepts in instrumental/vocal composition, digital music and film scoring. You will apply and learn these skills through a series of short compositions, sound-based works and scoring a short film. Students are e...

In this hands-on creative course, you will learn the core skills, techniques and methods essential to the art and craft of songwriting, as well as develop and enhance your songwriting persona. You will complete a focused portfolio of original songs, ...

An introduction to fundamental knowledge of the instruments found in a standard symphony orchestra. Students will learn a brief history of each instrument, as well as its range characteristics, timbre variations, technical considerations and their po...

An introduction to cutting-edge digital music production techniques: computer music programming, sound synthesis, and audio effects. Gain core skills required for generating and processing sound in digital media. Skills developed in this course will ...

An introduction to the fundamentals of music production, sound engineering, recording, and synthesis. You will learn a range of core music technology skills that are central to the disciplines of audio engineering and post-production, electronic musi...

Creative application of intermediate concepts in instrumental/vocal composition and/or hybrid composition, particularly as they apply to aesthetic and technical concepts of form/shape, compositional process, and advanced materials. This course is ope...

In this hands-on creative course, you will expand your abilities in the art and craft of songwriting to include aspects of arranging, production and ensemble performance. Alongside this, you will continue to deepen your creative identity and will com...

Explore key creative concepts and techniques in electronic music, alongside developing audio production and sound design skills, while completing your own pieces of electronic music. Critically and historically informed approaches to electronic music...

An introduction to the discipline of composing and/or arranging, for ensembles of 4-10 instruments. Students can elect to compose/arrange for either classical or jazz ensembles.

In this course, you will learn creative use of computer programming for interactive digital music applications. You will gain skills to build your own custom-designed interactive instruments, synthesisers, samplers, sequencers. What you will learn in...

Development of skills and exploration of concepts in music technology, with a focus on key approaches to studio recording, mixing and audio production, as well as developing critical perspectives on music technology.

Creative application of advanced abilities in instrumental/vocal techniques and concepts resulting in the creation of independently conceived original works.

What are the skills needed to work as a composer in film and television today? In CMPO 305 you’ll learn how to use sampled audio and sound libraries to create engaging scores, including elements such as simulated orchestral textures, virtual percussi...

Through creative work in electronic music, students in this course will learn to use leading-edge audio technology and production techniques, including advanced approaches to sound design and spatial audio. The final assignment is to conceive and rea...

An introduction to the advanced practice of composing and arranging for large ensembles. Students can elect to compose/arrange compose/arrange for either classical or jazz ensembles. for either classical ensembles (e.g. symphony orchestra) or jazz en...

Hone your skills as a builder of digital musical instruments and learn to build the tools that you'll use to produce and perform electronic music. This course offers an exploration of cutting-edge and industry-standard approaches to audio programming...

Development of advanced recording and production skills, with a focus on large ensemble/concert hall recording, and audio mixing and sound for film. The course also develops critical perspectives on the practice, process and experience of advanced so...

Through a series of student-led projects, students will develop advanced skills in stereo audio production, with a focus on student content and production, closely informed by industry standards in mixing and mastering. Students will also explore cri...

An introduction to the study of twentieth- and twenty-first-century popular music, integrating case studies of various global popular musics and interdisciplinary discussion of a range of ideas and issues that emerge from their study.

Introductory study of the cultural roots of jazz and other Black American musics, the political and social contexts in which these musics have flourished, and the ongoing musical practices related to jazz in the twenty-first century.

In this chronological survey of Western art music, students study some of the most famous musical works ever written, and are introduced to the key historical, cultural, social, and stylistic developments in the Western art music tradition. Students ...

An introduction to music in world cultures. A survey of examples from the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Americas that examines music within its cultural context, and an introduction to the study of ethnomusicology.

An introduction to fundamental written skills in music and to basic forms used in Western music, including practise in aural perception.

Development of theoretical knowledge and skills for improvisation, composition, transcription, transposition and analysis.

Study of the basic elements and procedures of jazz, including training in the fundamental skills of harmony, rhythm and keyboard.

Study of the basic elements and procedures of common practice tonal music, including basic training in harmony and counterpoint, aural perception, and keyboard skills.

Study of chromatic tonal harmony, including training in analysis, voice-leading procedures, model composition, melodic and rhythmic dictation, aural skills and keyboard skills.

Study of a range of historical, analytical and critical perspectives on jazz as a global music, focusing on issues of race and gender, as well as the relationship between the nation-state and musics considered to be jazz. The course will explore a va...

Advanced study of selected instrumental music, considered from a range of historical, analytic and critical perspectives. Current offering: This course explores the development of the nineteenth-century symphony. It follows a roughly chronological jo...

An historical study of selected developments in Western art music after 1900.

An introduction to the practice and criticism of music in sound cinema from 1927 to the end of the twentieth century. Current offering: This course will explore the music's interaction with the visual, narrative, dramatic complexity of and other soni...

Critical study of select popular music traditions, integrating topical case studies and interdisciplinary discussion of related scholarly issues.

Development of theoretical knowledge and skills for improvisation, composition, transcription, transposition and analysis to an advanced standard.

Study of advanced chromatic harmony and voice leading procedures, including advanced training in melodic and rhythmic dictation, aural perception, and keyboard skills.

This hands-on course will familiarise students with the main stylistic features shared by music of the late-Romantic period and many contemporary Hollywood film scores. The course draws on key triadic post-tonal theories (especially Neo-Riemannian th...

Sound is the medium in which we experience the audible world, including music, but what does it mean to encounter sound? What defines sound and sonic experience? How does sound interact with our bodies, with the environment, or with vision? Who are t...

Study of a range of historical, analytical and critical perspectives on jazz as a global music, focusing on issues of race and gender, as well as the relationship between the nation-state and musics considered to be jazz. The course will explore a va...

Advanced study of selected instrumental music, considered from a range of historical, analytic and critical perspectives. Current offering: This course explores the development of the nineteenth-century symphony. It follows a roughly chronological jo...

Study of a selected interdisciplinary topic within Popular Music Studies considered from a range of historical, cultural, or critical perspectives. 2025 offering: Hip Hop Matters: Hip hop has grown from its roots as live party music in New York City ...

Advanced study of selected music after 1900, considered from a range of historical, analytical, and critical perspectives. 100% internal assessment.

Study of select cultures from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia and in-depth consideration of music and dance practices from a range of historical, ethnographic, or critical frameworks.

This course introduces and explores concepts of teaching and learning music, and provides an opportunity for students to gain practical experience of planning, delivering and evaluating musical learning within an educational context. This course will...

Supervised independent study in composition or sonic arts resulting in a portfolio of compositions and/or sound-based works. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline....

Supervised independent study in composition or sonic arts resulting in a portfolio of compositions and/or sound-based works. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment de...

Development of advanced skills in composing music or sound for film. Students choose to focus on one of two disciplines: 1) film scoring or 2) audio post-production for film. The film scoring stream focuses on analysing and reproducing the compositio...

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of an academic staff member, applicable to the domains of both Instrumental/Vocal Composition and Sonic Arts. Current offering: Advanced study of the specific technica...

A collaborative performance project, focused on Jazz or cross-genre music involving Jazz, utilising acoustic and/or electronic instruments, and performed to a professional standard in a live or studio setting. Collaborations may also involve composer...

Introductions to key terms (performance/ performativity, techniques, technologies) are followed by seminars focussed on performance anthropology and history; architectural and sociocultural contexts of performance spaces and their technical affordanc...

Development of the conceptual skills and knowledge to understand the work of a music therapist in a therapeutic team and to identify and respond to varied needs of clients and associated caregivers. (Note: this course does not entitle students to pra...

Advanced study of interactive/game audio programming techniques and approaches to the integration of audio into new and existing games and creative applications, and the use of game engines as environments for the exploration of generative and proced...

Supervised independent study of a music topic appropriate to the student's course of study. A proposal outlining the intended work for this paper must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Development of the conceptual skills and knowledge to understand the work of a music therapist in a therapeutic team and to identify and respond to varied needs of clients and associated caregivers. (Note: this course does not entitle students to pra...

Study of world musics and examination of the relationship between the music of different cultures and clinical work in music therapy. This study will also develop and enrich improvisation skills and sensitivity to cross-cultural practice.

Preparation and performance of appropriate repertoire with technical and musical mastery in situations relevant to music therapy. Improvisation styles, development of the voice for the music therapy context and receptive music therapy methods.

Observation of experienced music therapists and supervised practice in a variety of health, education or community settings. Please note that this is a pass/fail course. Students who pass the course will receive a P grade.

Demonstration of competent assessment, provision of appropriate music experiences and interactions, observations and evaluation in a client setting. Expansion of the understanding of music therapy by the analysis, synthesis and interpretation of idea...

A detailed examination of a large-scale research project recently or currently undertaken by a music therapy staff member. The course will explore methodology, methods, ethics and the development of research proposals.

FILM/DSDN/NZSM/THEA 590 is a creative research project, which is the capstone of the MFA (Creative Practice) degree. The project topic and approach is developed by the student under the guidance of an academic staff member in the relevant area.

A thesis on an approved topic which may include a supplementary research component relevant to the topic of the thesis (comprising 25% of the final grade).

A thesis comprising an original composition or compositions of a scope approved by the Head of School which may include a research report which elucidates the composition(s) submitted or a supplementary research component relevant to the topic of the...

A thesis of a scope approved by the Head of School comprising a significant performance or series of performances and a written exegesis.

A written thesis on an approved topic (90 points).

A thesis of a scope approved by the Head of School comprising original composition/creative work and a written exegesis (90 points).

A thesis of a scope approved by the Head of School comprising a significant performance or series of performances and a written exegesis (90 points).

An approved supervised independent project in composition or sonic arts. The project provides a context in which students explore individual research interests at an advanced level.

Development and refinement of performance skills to an advanced level, through a performance project that provides a context in which students explore individual research interests.

Development of a research proposal that lays out the appropriate scope, context, and aims for a line of enquiry to be explored through an exegesis and either a portfolio of creative work in composition or sonic arts or creative work in performance cu...

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music academic staff member.

Development and refinement of an approved portfolio of creative work in composition or sonic arts, with the Exegesis providing a coherent line of enquiry outlining the scope, context, aims, and critical perspectives, to accompany the works presented ...

Development and refinement of approved creative work in performance culminating in two public recitals and two lecture recitals, with the Exegesis providing a coherent line of enquiry outlining the scope, contexts, aims , and critical perspectives, t...

PhD course.

In this course students work under individual supervision to acquire in-depth knowledge of musical repertoire appropriate to their instrument. While the course is essentially practical, providing an opportunity to consolidate technique and develop pr...

This course is a further study of musical repertoire under supervision, as for NZSM 701. In addition, students will receive guidance on the preparation and delivery of a well-structured and informed pre-concert talk. Assessment is by two public recit...

Development of technical and musical competency on the student’s chosen instrument or voice. This course is open to students studying either Classical or Jazz Performance.

Development of technical and musical competency on the student’s chosen instrument or voice. This course is open to students studying either Classical or Jazz Performance.

Development of practical performance skills that support and enhance students’ principal study. Students participate in two approved areas of study, dependent on the student’s instrument/voice.

Development of practical performance skills that support and enhance students’ principal study. Students participate in two approved areas of study, dependent on the student’s instrument/voice.

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Further development of technical and musical competency, as well as artistic and stylistic insight, to perform at an intermediate level on the student’s chosen instrument or voice.

Further development of technical and musical competency, as well as artistic and stylistic insight, to perform at an intermediate level on the student’s chosen instrument or voice.

Further development of practical performance skills that support and enhance students’ principal study. Students participate in three approved areas of study, dependent on the student’s instrument/voice.

Further development of practical performance skills that support and enhance students’ principal study. Students participate in three approved areas of study, dependent on the student’s instrument/voice.

Development of technical and musical skills in an ancillary performance competency. Approved streams include conducting, Latin and jazz fusion ensembles.

Further development, through individual lessons, workshops and self-directed learning of technical and musical competency on the student’s primary instrument/voice, along with greater artistic and stylistic insight.

Further development, through individual lessons, workshops and self-directed learning of technical and musical competency on the student’s primary instrument/voice, along with greater artistic and stylistic insight.

In this course you will learn about the music and culture of the Asia-Pacific region through hands-on engagement with either Māori music or Javanese Gamelan. By participating in rehearsals and performances, and researching the broader social context ...

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Further development of technical and musical competency and artistic and stylistic insight to perform an expanded range of repertoire of the student’s chosen instrument or voice.

Further development of technical and musical competency and artistic and stylistic insight to perform an expanded range of repertoire of the student’s chosen instrument or voice.

Advanced development of practical performance skills that support and enhance students’ principal study. Students participate in three approved areas of study, dependant on the student’s instrument/voice.

Advanced development of practical performance skills that support and enhance students’ principal study. Students participate in three approved areas of study, dependant on the student’s instrument/voice.

Advanced development of technical and musical skills in an ancillary performance competency. Students choose from a Latin ensemble or jazz fusion ensemble.

Development to an advanced level of technical and musical competency on the student’s primary instrument/voice.

Development to an advanced level of technical and musical competency on the student’s primary instrument/voice.

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline. 100% inte...

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Exploration of an area of learning specific to the research interests and activity of a music staff member. A proposal outlining the intended work for this course must be approved by the Director of the NZSM prior to the enrolment deadline.

Refinement of creative research skills in the domain of Classical Performance, culminating in a substantial public recital, and a written component that explicates students’ creative research processes and platforms. Through studio lessons, group cla...

Development of musical performance towards an independently conceived and presented public recital.

Refinement of creative research skills culminating in a substantial public recital and a creative research platform written component. This course advances the performance and improvisation skills gained at the undergraduate level, while cultivating ...

Development of jazz performance towards an independently conceived and presented public recital.

Extension of ensemble skills and presentation of ensemble music including chamber music or contemporary ensemble, in an area that supplements or complements the main area of study.

Preparation and presentation of an extended repertoire for orchestra to a professional level appropriate to the student's instrument, including preparatory research and study for orchestral auditions.

Supervised study of vocal and dramatic performance, including related background study, in appropriate opera repertoire of Western music.