Education Guide: Melbourne Conservatorium Of Music

What sets the MCM apart from other music schools? Brad Summers and Maria Coiro give you the lowdown. 

One thing that people learn very quickly when pursuing a career in music is that you need more than just the ability to play an instrument; you need passion, technological literacy and vision, managerial skills, the ability to collaborate, and a hint of entrepreneurialism. And this is what makes the Melbourne Conservatorium Of Music (MCM) at the University of Melbourne stand out from all the rest, because they take all of that into account with their course curriculum. The MCM looks at what the industry needs and expects from a professional in today’s environment, and that’s why it offers the courses it does. There are a range of disciplines at undergraduate and graduate level; you can study anything from music performance, composition, jazz and improv and even musicology, ethnomusicology, conducting, teaching, and music therapy and psychology. 

Let’s say that you want to focus on music performance. The MCM’s Jazz and Improv specialisation for example has a studio-intensive focus to help you build upon your individual voice and help you further grow and develop your technical skills for your instrument. If you are keen to back up your performance skills with broader contextual knowledge, you can certainly do that at MCM with the electives that they have on offer, from Music History, Pop Song Writing, Music Production, Composition Studies and even Game Music. There will surely be something there to ensure your time studying at MCM is always interesting.

Not only are you inundated with all these amazing choices, but you will get to experience cross-collaboration opportunities with their partner institution, the Victorian College Of The Arts. These span across all creative avenues, such as film, television, acting and visual arts to name a few. T

But what’s going to happen when you finish you study? MCM have got that covered too. They offer travelling scholarships to graduates, giving you the chance to gain immediate industry-based experience. And they have their own Artists Booking Service, so if that’s your thing, you best get on it.

For more information on MCM, head to the Open Day on Sunday 16 August, 10am–4pm, or visit mcm.unimelb.edu.au.