Bachelor of Music

Our Bachelor of Music covers all the skills and knowledge you need to be a multi-faceted professional musician. It’s built around collaboration - you’ll learn the foundational skills and apply them in group projects and classes that directly mirror the real world of the music industry.

The programme focuses on the practical; even the ‘academic’ subjects are taught in a style that relates directly to the practical application of those subjects. More than half the programme content is practical in nature, a higher proportion than most music degrees in New Zealand. With such a focus on the practical, you’re a musician from day one at Ara.

The degree offers three pathways: Music Creation (composition), Music Performance and Music Production. This choice lets you specialise in the area you’re passionate about, while learning alongside and working with musicians from other pathways. Your third-year capstone project allows you to design your own major project (which can include a work placement if relevant) with dedicated specialist tutor support.

At Ara you’ll learn from a great team of tutors who are each also professional, working musicians. They perform, write and record across the country, from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra to Salmonella Dub and everything in between.

More than ever, music is a portfolio career and this degree sets you up perfectly to excel in the ‘gig economy’. As a graduate you’ll possess a comprehensive and varied set of skills, backed up by a working knowledge of the industry and how to establish your place within it.

Possible career outcomes include:

Professional musician

Performer, composer, songwriter, arranger, musical director, instrumentalist, music consultant, music contractor.

Professional performance

Performer, singer, songwriter, band or orchestra member, backing musician, soloist, cruise ship performer, studio session musician, theatre pit orchestral player, private or commissioned performer (e.g. wedding/corporate event, hotel and tourism).

Creative industries

Composer (multimedia, film soundtrack/scores, advertising jingles, documentary/TV series), performer/producer, broadcast composer (music library composition and production), theatre and installation sound designer, music producer, computer/website/gaming music composer, music software developer, performance art exponent, presenter.

Education

Music teacher, music tutor/lecturer, music therapist, musicologist, ethnomusicologist.

Events and music management

Event planner, venue management, promoter, artist manager.

As a graduate of this programme you can continue your studies with Ara’s Master of Creative Practice or a postgraduate qualification in music from any other institute. You could also move into teaching with a postgraduate diploma in education. Music therapy or sound engineering could be other options, with further study.

Prepare to thrive as a professional musician.