Diploma of Music (Contemporary Performance)

Duration

8 months (2 trimesters) accelerated

Locations

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Fees

FEE-HELP Available

Domestic Fees

International Fees

Intake Dates

February, June, September

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International

CRICOS 058467G

JMC welcomes students from all over the world.
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Standing centre stage, crowd roaring, bass pumping, the lights come up… Making it as a musician doesn’t have to be a fantasy – make it your reality...

Discover and develop your singular musical talent in a rapidly expanding industry, and be taught by experienced and respected musicians through a JMC Diploma of Music. Explore live sound and recording, employ industry-standard software like Pro Tools, Logic and Sibelius, and hone your craft performing live at iconic music venues and events throughout your course. You will also receive weekly one-on-one private lessons on your major instrument to improve your technical facility, musicality, and performance skills.

Explore some of the basic concepts, principles, and theory of contemporary music, and improve your recognition and understanding of music and musical styles. You will also investigate the processes involved with performing in an ensemble, and developing a repertoire for live performance. You will also get exclusive access to masterclasses led by industry professionals and international artists, that will expose you to a complete range of performance techniques.

Why Study Music Performance at JMC?

Unique 1-on-1 instrumental or vocal tuition

Become a more employable musician with improved knowledge of music language and performance techniques

Regular live performance opportunities in real venues

Technology & Facilities

Technology & Facilities

Designed for recording high-quality demos and mastering performance, our studios feature ProTools, Logic, Ableton Live and Native Instruments, along with MIDI keyboard controllers and monitors, top of the range microphones and over 30 (national) fully fitted rehearsal studios and performance spaces equipped with digital and baby grand pianos, drumkits and an array of amplifiers.

Duration

Duration

When undertaken full-time, the Diploma of Music can be completed in 8 months (2 trimesters).

Upon successful completion of the Diploma qualification, students are eligible to continue their studies into the Bachelor Degree with advanced standing of two trimesters.

Students who have successfully completed 4 trimesters of the Bachelor programme may successfully graduate with an Associate Degree qualification.

Course Structure

The Diploma of Music with major in Contemporary Performance makes up the first 2 trimesters of the Music Bachelor's degree. At the successful completion of 2 trimesters, our modular course structure lets you graduate with an officially recognised diploma or continue seamlessly towards the industry standard Bachelor of Music with major in Contemporary Performance degree.

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Foundations of Music

History of Popular Music - PSP201

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit provides an overview of Western contemporary popular music styles and the evolution in production of recorded and performed music since the 1950s. Students investigate major musical styles and periods from the 1950s to the present and develop the ability to define key characteristics of each. The unit introduces the broad themes of what constitutes popular music, and elements of music production, with an emphasis on musical events, key artists or industry figures, and institutions which contributed to the development of different musical movements. Students are exposed to the structure of the music industry, developing their understanding of the inter-relationship between the different sectors and key historical developments, and gain an appreciation of the music tradition within which they will work. The unit provides a context and preparation for the concepts which are explored further in subsequent units and is essential for future professional practice in the music industry. Basic academic writing skills and assignment planning will also be covered in this unit.

Introduction to Music Business - PSP211

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

The purpose of this unit is to give students an introduction to the music industry enabling a basic understanding of key sectors, roles and structures within it. It will also introduce students to copyright as it applies broadly to musical, literary, dramatic and artistic works and the functions and responsibilities of publishers and publishing companies. All areas relating to the application of copyright and the workings of publishing are considered. This unit also introduces music publishing contracts, distribution deals, and opportunities that are emerging with the development of digital technology and the practices of independent artists. It will also explore the fundamentals of band management, including use of an ABN and basic business principles. 

Introduction to Music Technology - PSP202

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit introduces students to the capacity of music technology to enhance their potential as musicians, composers, and recording artists. Students will investigate the fundamental range and features of music technology available and gain understanding of its potential in the creative process. Students will learn the fundamentals of the technology underlying all stages of music creation and distribution. They will also investigate the operations and parts of a computer; set-up and operation of small music home recording systems; operation of industry standard software program (Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or Ableton Live) and program using Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Students will acquire (or reinforce) basic musicianship and keyboard skills. Academic writing skills with research and referencing methodology will also be covered as part of preparation for the first assessment task.

Composition and Arranging - PSP212

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

This unit develops students’ conceptual knowledge and technical skills in composition and arranging – focusing on form, structure, harmonic and melodic development. Students will investigate techniques based on contemporary composition and writing music for screen and games. The classes will involve some analysis of influential songwriters, composers, arrangers, and their works.

Following the first assessment, which presents a demo for an original piece of instrumental music as a stand-alone composition, or to suit a brief for screen or a game, the unit goes on to develop the students’ understanding of the process of music arranging. This begins by learning the fundamental concepts of arranging, including texture, dynamics, density, range, and basic harmonic voicing techniques. This will then extend to the musical features of instruments within a basic contemporary music ensemble of vocals, guitar, piano/keyboard, bass and drums. Then students can move on and further develop an understanding of writing for front line instruments - specific string, brass and reed instruments. Based on this knowledge of individual instruments, students will create a full notated arrangement of the original piece submitted for the first assessment, demonstrating an understanding of harmony, melody, rhythm, structure and stylistic devices. This arrangement is then performed by professional musicians in the final weeks of trimester, and recorded as part of the final assessment submission.

Music Theory 1 - PSP203

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 1

This subject provides students with the technical and theoretical understanding of musical principles and theory to allow them to create, analyse and communicate concepts within contemporary music. Skills and understanding achieved in this subject create the foundation of any professional musician, which will be further developed during the duration of the course. This fundamental level of musicianship will eventually allow students to arrange music, compose successful compositions and help develop their technical musical skills on their chosen instrument. 

Music Theory 2 - PSP213

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 2

This unit continues developing the student’s knowledge and understanding of Music Theory, in preparation for musicianship at a professional level. Skills and understanding achieved in the unit will include knowledge of written theory, and extended understanding of notation and harmonic relationships at an intermediate level. This expanded level of musicianship will eventually allow students to compose or arrange successful compositions and help develop technical musical skills on a chosen instrument. This is the second of four units (Music Theory 1-4) that will build the students’ ability and knowledge within practical components of written music theory and increase their overall musical awareness.

Ear Training 1 - PSP204

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 1

This subject provides development in the student’s aural musicianship skills. In undertaking this subject, students will gain an understanding of fundamental musical principles and strengthen their aural perception of musical elements. Skills and understanding achieved in this subject create the foundation of any professional musician, which will be further developed during the duration of the course. This fundamental level of musicianship will allow students to better appreciate music and explore sonic textures. Emphasis is given to three main area including rhythmic perception and performance, solfege, performance and recognition of harmonic and melodic elements. 

Ear Training 2 - PSP214

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 2

This unit builds on the musical concepts covered in Ear Training I, preparing the student for musicianship at a professional level. Skills developed in this unit will include aural recognition and reproduction of intervals, four-note chords, and scales. Students will also continue to develop their ability to sight sing diatonic melodies and perform intermediate rhythms. This enhanced level of musicianship will eventually allow students to analyse and compose successful compositions and continue to develop and employ technical skills on a chosen instrument. This is the second of four units that will build a student’s ability and knowledge within practical components of music theory and increase their overall musical awareness.

Performance Major 1 - PSP207

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 1

It is essential to constantly develop as a member of a band and as an individual player to ensure a future musical career. In Performance Major 1, students will begin to develop their technical expertise in their principal instrument and awareness of repertoire for solo and ensemble situations. The unit involves the study of technical work and repertoire, through one-on-one instrumental or vocal lessons (1 x 30 min lesson per week).

Subsequent Performance Major units continue to develop technical proficiency, creativity and their personal playing styles. The underlying theme of these units is exploration and experimentation with a view of identifying and continually refining the student’s personal expression.

Performance Major 2 - PSP217

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 2

As for Performance Major 1, in Performance Major 2, students will continue to develop their technical expertise in their principal instrument and awareness of repertoire for solo and ensemble situations. The unit involves the study of technical work and repertoire, through one-on-one instrumental lessons (1 x 30min lesson per week). It is expected that the student will be able to exhibit a level of musicianship and craft superior to that demonstrated in Performance Major 1. More attention is placed in this unit on audience engagement during performance.

Performance Major 1A - PSP207A

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 1

It is essential to constantly develop as a member of a band and as an individual player to ensure a future musical career. In Major Performance 1A, students will begin to develop their technical expertise in a secondary instrument and awareness of repertoire for solo and ensemble situations. The unit involves the study of technical work and repertoire, through one-on-one instrumental or vocal lessons (1 x 30 min lesson per week).

This unit is an ‘extra’ unit, taken in addition to prescribed curriculum for the Diploma of Music and Bachelor of Music Degrees. The credit points for this unit will not contribute towards the completion of a qualification.

Performance Major 2A - PSP217A

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 2

As for Major Performance 1A, in Major Performance 2A, students will continue to develop their technical expertise in a secondary instrument and awareness of repertoire for solo and ensemble situations. The unit involves the study of technical work and repertoire, through one-on-one instrumental lessons (1 x 30min lesson per week). It is expected that the student will be able to exhibit a level of musicianship and craft superior to that demonstrated in Major Performance 1A. More attention is placed in this unit on audience engagement during performance.

Choose Music Collaboration Unit 1

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 1

Ensemble 1 - PSP205

It is essential to constantly develop as a member of a band and as an individual player to ensure a future musical career. The Ensemble sequence of units has been designed to provide the time and guidance required for the maturation of students’ performance abilities. In Ensemble 1, students will begin to develop their expertise in their principal instrument and awareness of repertoire through ensemble sessions (1 x 2-hour session per week). Stage performance technique as ‘stage presence’ is introduced and students are given the opportunity to explore, rehearse and develop musical skills in a group or ensemble environment. Students will be able to demonstrate their craft during two formal ensemble performances.  

To assist in the development of their professionalism, students will begin to develop planning skills and the ability to set specific, timely and achievable goals.  Attention is placed on learning basic communication and interaction skills. 

Collaborative Recording Project 1 - PSP206

In the first unit in the Collaborative Music Production sequence, students are introduced to the practices of collaborative music-making. For musicians developing a specialist skill as a creative technologist, replication of music elements via digital environments is an integral foundation skill for a digital creator. This unit includes aspects of group music creation and replication using software, piano skills via industry DAWs, and basic stylistic replication. Across a 1 x 2-hour supervised group class per week (and additional self-organised follow-up sessions), students will develop planning skills and the ability to set specific, timely and achievable goals. Attention is placed on learning basic communication and interaction skills.

Choose Music Collaboration Unit 2

Credit Points: 3
Trimester 2

Ensemble 2 - PSP215

The focus for this Ensemble unit is on working with a new group of musicians to develop an extended repertoire for live and recorded performances. Specialist tutors guide students through this process, from increasing technical proficiency, creativity and the development of their personal playing styles. Their stage persona also continues to be refined, with increasing emphasis on movement, stage dialogue, microphone technique, musicianship and stage image. To prepare for the live performance and live recordings, a number of rehearsal sessions are organised where students will be given ‘real time’ feedback from their tutors, as well as discussing and critiquing performances with their peers.

Collaborative Recording Project 2 - PSP216

In Collaborative Recording Project 2, students are expected to apply superior knowledge proficiently at a level higher than they demonstrated in Collaborative Recording Project 1. To achieve this, students will be encouraged to explore different models for creative collaboration in the design and realisation of a group-based music technology project, with a focus on a model that allows them to best communicate with each other. The scope of the creative work in this unit is potentially limitless, however students will have to work together to articulate, refine and justify their creative choices so that the production achieved is a thought-provoking combination of musical interests, talent and skillsets. Students may also participate in a collaborative live recording assessment with student ensembles from PSP215 Ensemble 2, which will require the application of professional communication skills and sharing of knowledge and skills.

Our Lecturers

James O'Brien

Head of Music (Melbourne)

James graduated with a Bachelor of Music (performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2001 and immediately began work as a touring musician successfully traversing the jazz and popular music worlds. With modern piano trio Misinterprotato, James toured around Australia, the U.S., Canada and Japan and contributed to the group's first two releases through the Melbourne based Jazzhead label.

As singer and songwriter in Brisbane-Melbourne based indie-pop group The Boat People, James has released three albums, toured the U.S. 8 times (including two trips to SXSW), the U.K. twice and supported many outstanding Australian and International acts including Powderfinger, Crowded House and The Shins. The Boat People have had 8 songs playlisted on national radio station Triple J and in 2007 James signed a publishing deal with Ivy League/Mushroom which has seen his songs used extensively in television and film.

In 2012, James co-wrote and sung the breakout single "Half of It" for producer duo YesYou which received high rotation radio play on Triple J. James currently works as touring bass player with avant-folk group Machine Translations and songstress Kate Miller-Heidke. With his new group Darling James, he produced and music directed the "8 First Dates" event at the 2014 Melbourne Fringe which featured guests Ainslie Wills, Angie Hart (Frente), Jae Laffer (The Panics) and many others. Darling James are about to release their debut single and recently opened for legendary Australian group, The Church.

James O'Brien

Head of Music (Melbourne)

Kemo Bunguric

Head of Music (Sydney)

Kemo’s teaching methods and influence reflect his own passion and extensive skills in composition, arranging and music technology, especially since he is a piano accordion virtuoso and an Australasian Accordion Champion.

By the age of 13, Kemo had learned early on how important it was to market one’s self as a musician, a concept which he aims to instil in his students. Kemo ensures that his students understand how to develop themselves as well-rounded musicians and teaches them the importance of being progressive within the industry.

Kemo Bunguric

Head of Music (Sydney)

Will Day

Head of Music, and Entertainment Business Management (Brisbane)

Gritty. Grounded. Heartfelt. A stand-out performer. From energetic tracks such as the single ‘Countrified’ to emotive ballads like ‘Simple Then’ (with Brooke Schubert), it’s no surprise that Will is making an impact on the country music scene. 2021 has been a wild ride, with single ‘Countrified’ added to iHeartCountry and KIX Country with the song reaching #12 on the KIX Country Charts and ‘Simple Then’ added to ABC Country, reaching #9 on the KIX Country Charts and #5 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Charts. Both tracks are included on Will’s debut album ‘Countrified’ and will be accompanied by a national tour reaching every state over the next 12 months.

Will has opened for the likes of Morgan Evans, Shannon Noll, Diesel, Hoodoo Gurus, The Baby Animals, The Black Sorrows, Col Finley and The Viper Creek Band while also appearing at Australia’s most iconic country music festivals, including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival and Gympie Muster.

With a genuine gift of storytelling, combined with compelling vocals and the ability to connect with a crowd, Will Day is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier rising country artists and one that will undoubtedly be around for many years to come.

Will Day

Head of Music, and Entertainment Business Management (Brisbane)

Thomas Combes

Senior Audio Lecturer and Music Lecturer

Music has been a passion of Thomas' since he picked up his first guitar at the tender age of 10. Fast forward 17 years and Tom’s phenomenal finger-style playing, subtle tone and seasoned musical taste push the boundaries of what is possible on an acoustic guitar. His unique style of playing incorporates finger picking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a detailed wall of sound.

Tom has toured nationally as an in-demand session player, played on the main stage of several music festivals and has had his signature guitar playing recorded on several albums. These accomplishments have been complemented with his in-depth Audio Engineering and Production knowledge obtained through his degree in the Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith.

Tom now resides in Brisbane where he lectures Audio classes and teaches guitar at JMC Academy.

Thomas Combes

Senior Audio Lecturer and Music Lecturer

Tom now resides in Brisbane where he lectures Audio classes and teaches guitar at JMC Academy.

Simon Gardner

Senior Music Lecturer

Simon Gardner is one Brisbane’s premier rock guitarists and pre-eminent guitar teachers. He is also full-time Theory Lecturer, Guitar Tutor and Ensemble Coordinator at JMC Academy Brisbane. As an artist, Simon has 5 albums and 3 singles . His most recent releases “You Know Why I Asked You Here” and “Reflections on a Winter Sky” are featured in Australian Musician online Magazine and Candyrat Records Youtube channel.

Simon also performs regularly across a range of styles as a freelance guitarist and is Musical Director for theatre rock shows, "Good Morning Vietnam - Music from the Vietnam War Era" and "Simon Gardner's Classic Rock Legends"

Simon Gardner

Senior Music Lecturer

Cameron Bower

Senior Music Lecturer

Cameron Bower is a composer, producer, songwriter and improvising musician from Brisbane. His principle projects include work with Big Dead (2010 -) and Milk Buttons (2015 -) and is the artistic director and principle composer for New Music/Jazz ensemble Cowbird (2016 -).

As a composer he works within a world of improvised and composed forms, electronic and rock music, synthesising his tendency towards jazz and improvised music with the formal structures of contemporary classical idioms and techniques. As a producer he works in electronic/ambient and alternative rock contexts.

Cam teaches composition, piano and guitar as part of the Browning Street Music and Dance Teachers cooperative and works as a Sessional Academic at QUT and JMC lecturing on topics from music theory and composition to history and aural studies.

Cameron Bower

Senior Music Lecturer

Chloe Harrison

Ensemble Coordinator

Previously hailing from Sydney, Chloe Harrison is now a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, producer, composer, and voice actor.

Chloe started her career young, starting voice acting at 6 years old, working on hundreds of advertising campaigns for TV, radio, and cinema, as well as two seasons of an animated series that was aired internationally. She later moved towards music, starting work as a session singer.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Composition and Production, she started her own production company, in the first year recording 3 albums, 4 EP’s and several singles for independent artists in both Sydney and Rural NSW. She then embarked on her post-graduate studies in composition, while lecturing, performing, and working as a producer.

More recently, she has moved into working as a composer, sound designer, and voice actor for video games, while continuously working on her own original music.

Chloe Harrison

Ensemble Coordinator

Shannon Brown

Senior Music Lecturer

Former tenor and Musical Director for the internationally acclaimed group The Ten Tenors, Shannon toured full-time for six years, performing an average of 250 shows per year across five continents.

Recorded a Platinum-selling album 'Here's To The Heroes' at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra and launched the album performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Shannon has recorded with Sting’s guitarist, Dominic Miller. American drummer, Vinnie Colaiuta. ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ lyricist, Don Black OBE, and Academy Award & Golden Globe winner, John Barry OBE.

Shannon has worked with Australia’s Guy Sebastian and Paulini Curuenavuli. John Foreman OAM, Chong Lim AM, James Morrison AM & Producer, Ken Laing AM. He has toured with Country star Jasmine Rae and been the Musical Director for the 2013 winner of The Voice, Harrison Craig.

Shannon continues to work with Australia’s Got Talent Winner, Mark Vincent, as his Musical Director for over 11 years.

Shannon Brown

Senior Music Lecturer

Kim Salmon

Music Lecturer

In 1976, Kim Salmon formed Perth’s first punk band the Cheap Nasties, who later became The Manikins. Salmon’s work with The Scientists in the 1980s influenced grunge music in a big way, with the band rising to prominence around Seattle, US, before impacting on popular music in the early 1990s.

The Scientists relied on unorthodox bass-heavy rhythms and distorted guitars, the latter being a direct precursor for grunge. The term itself was coined by Salmon in the mid-1980s to describe The Scientists’ sound, as noted in a documentary on Australian music, Long Way to the Top (2001).

Kim Salmon

Music Lecturer

Rick Grossman

Music Lecturer

For the past 35 years, Rick has worked as a professional musician, spending five years (1982-1987) as a bass guitarist for Divinyls, and then in 1988 Rick began playing bass for the Hoodoo Gurus. From 1990 onwards Rick has been involved with a side project, Ghostwriters, along with Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil.

Rick has toured both Australia and internationally with the likes of Jimmy Barnes and Men at Work and produced albums such as ‘Caution: Life Ahead, Artists for Recovery’, a collection of Australian artists to raise awareness for drug rehabilitation.

He has been inducted twice into the ARIA Hall of Fame, in 2007 for his work with Hoodoo Gurus, and also in 2006 for his work with Divinyls. Recently, Rick and his legendary Aussie band, Hoodoo Gurus, have made it to the top 10 of the ARIA charts with the 40th-anniversary edition of their debut album, Stoneage Romeos.

At JMC Academy, Sydney Campus, Rick teaches Band Ensemble and encourages his students to follow their passions and always have commitment, creativity, and write original material.

Rick Grossman

Music Lecturer

At JMC Academy, Sydney Campus, Rick teaches Band Ensemble and encourages his students to follow their passions and always have commitment, creativity, and write original material.

Olivia Nathan

Music Lecturer

Olivia is one of Melbourne’s most versatile freelance vocalists. With her silky smooth, soulful tones, Olivia has wowed audiences all over Melbourne, whether it is at a corporate event, wedding, nightclub, lounge or pub gig.

Singing since the age of 4, Olivia began performing at the age of 6 and has worked in and around Melbourne as well as interstate in various bands for the last 23 years.

Olivia studied music at Latrobe University and it was upon meeting fellow musician Robert John Sedky that she was introduced to a new network of musicians. Since that time 18 years ago, her music network has expanded immensely and she’s been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented musicians in Melbourne.

In 1999, Olivia and her then music partner formed a soul/rap rnb duo, Soul Class. They were signed to Molly Meldrum’s label, Melodian, a division of the then Mushroom Records. They released a single “You Left Me Behind” with Melodian then released “Downtown” the following year independently. Soul Class did many support shows, which were for acts such as Vanessa Amorosi.

Since the disbandment of Soul Class in 2001, Olivia has been freelancing with an array of different bands all around Melbourne. She has also performed as a backing vocalist for many other artists such as Vanessa Amorosi, Katie Cole, Tommy Rando, Josh Owen Band & Jade MacRae to name a few.

Olivia Nathan

Music Lecturer

This course was different - very diverse! There was the singing, stagecraft and learning how to audio produce. It's helped me tour the world with my music.

Timomatic (Tim Omaji) - ARIA Award nominee, Urban Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer/Choreographer

Music Alumni

The way I have been taught music here has changed my life. I try to inspire my own music students in the same way.

Mickey Pye - Principal, Bathurst College of Music, Toyota Starmaker Winner 2015

Music Alumni

JMC Academy has provided me with the ability to recognise good opportunities, to not shy away from the challenging ones and to be adaptable to changes in the industry.

Amara Primero - Composer for Screen

Music Alumni

Bachelor of Music with major in Contemporary Performance

Seamlessly transition into the bachelor's degree with JMC Academy's modular and integrated courses.

Are you ready to take the next step toward your career in Music Performance?

Apply now →

FAQs

I don't play an instrument. Can I still apply for the Contemporary Music & Performance course?

If you are a vocalist, you are not required to play an instrument. However, if you have selected to play an instrument other than voice as part of your studies, your eligibility will be determined during the audition process. All successful applicants will be provided the tuition you need to progress through the course.

If you prefer to compose music electronically or use a DAW as your instrument, you should check out our Music Production course.

Are JMC courses available to study online?

No, our courses are hands on and practical. Students are required to attend classes to receive ongoing mentorship, learn new skills and work with the equipment provided. We do encourage our students to use online study resources, however our courses would not be as immersive as they are without the practical component.

Do I need to know music theory to be eligible for the Contemporary Music & Performance course?

No. For those with little or no theory background, we'll teach you what you need to know from the ground up. We also offer a program during orientation week which provides a crash course to help you get started if theory isn’t your strong point. Additional support throughout your course will be available.

Is a JMC Academy degree of equal standing to a university degree?

Yes. The JMC Academy is registered and regulated by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) which is Australia’s independent national regulator of the higher education sector, both public and private.

Is JMC Academy a recognised institution?

JMC Academy is broadly recognised and accredited:

Registered Higher Education Provider.
Accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
Registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
Member of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).
Nationally recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Our strong industry links also ensure that JMC Academy qualifications are recognised within the creative industries.

What do I need for my Contemporary Music Performance audition and how can I ensure it's a success?

This depends on what you’re auditioning with – there are different requirements for vocals vs instruments for example, so check with your admissions advisor as to what you will need to bring to your audition.

To make the best of the audition - practice! Play something that you’re comfortable with and know well. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Don’t base your audition song on what you think we want to hear – we want to see who you are as an artist, so choose a song that you love playing and that shows your own unique style. Make sure you’ve brought everything you need. Don’t stress. We want you to do well and will try to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

My singing voice needs work. Can I still apply for the Contemporary Music Performance course?

Definitely. As part of the application process we conduct auditions which will help determine your level. Vocal ability is subjective and everyone is their own worst critic, so we encourage you to come along and show us what you’ve got...keeping in mind that we don’t expect you to be an accomplished performer or finished artist. It's our job however to get you there!

What software programs will I use in the Contemporary Music Performance course?

You will work with three main types of software - Sibelius, ProTools and Ableton.