The Bachelor of Music Education provides a major study in a music specialisation with a major study in music teaching.

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a secondary school teacher in South Australia.

Music specialisations are available in Classical or Jazz Performance, Composition, Music Studies or Music Technology.

The program develops practical music skills, individual musicianship and knowledge and understanding of music in society, along with broad functional skills including arranging and conducting, and a working knowledge of the various instrumental families. 

At level 1, students undertake 12 units of core studies common to all three Bachelor degrees in music, and 12 units towards their specialisation.

At level 2, students continue 6 units of core studies, 6 units of specialisation, 6 units related to Music Education and 3 units of electives.

At level 3, students undertake 3 units of electives, 6 units of specialisation (which may include a second teaching area), 9 units related to Music Education and 3 units of electives.

During level 4, students take 24 units of specialised Education courses.

Additional Costs

Students may be required to incur some additional costs as part of their program. These include performance tour costs, concert visits, instrument purchase or hire, purchase of a RCD if using electrical equipment, recording, text books and scores, purchase of microphones, etc.

Accompanying

Some financial assistance is provided to help with the cost of essential accompaniment in examinations. Students need to budget for any additional accompaniment.

Select Staff List

Director of Elder Conservatorium: Professor David Lockett, MMus, DMus (Adel), LMusA, ARCM

Elder Professor of Music: Professor Charles Bodman Rae, MA (Cantab), PhD (Leeds), DMus (Adel), ARCM, FCLCM, FRSA

Head of Undergraduate Progams: Dr Jenny Rosevear BMus(Hons), DipEd, GradDipT(JazzEd), MMusEd(UWA), PhD(Adel), AMusA, MACE 

Program Advice

Dr Jenny Rosevear BMus(Hons), DipEd, GradDipT(JazzEd), MMusEd(UWA), PhD(Adel), AMusA, MACE 

For advice about any of the following specialisations in the Bachelor of Music Education, please contact the following staff members:

• Brass:  Howard Parkinson (Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Section Principal)
• Composition: Professor Charles Bodman Rae, MA (Cantab), PhD (Leeds), DMus (Adel), ARCM, FCLCM, FRSA
• Jazz:  Bruce Hancock, BE
• Keyboard:  Lucinda Collins, BMus(Hons), ARCM
• Music Technology:  Stephen Whittington, BMus(Hons)
• Percussion:  Amanda Grigg
• Strings:  Keith Crellin OAM, BMus, GradDipMus
• Voice:  Guila Tiver
• Woodwind:  Elizabeth Koch OAM, BMus(Hons), MMus 

This program enables students to maintain their practical music discipline (music performance [classical or jazz], composition or music technology) supported by a core academic component shared by the other degrees in the school.

Experience is also gained in music education which eventually results in formal recognition for teacher registration. Students undertake three periods of teaching practice, with an introductory 30 day practicum in third year (Level 111) and two five-week periods during fourth year (Level IV), one in the country and one in metropolitan Adelaide. The Bachelor of Music Education is recognised and accepted by the Teachers Registration Board in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries. Graduates from this program do not need to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Education.

Music in other degrees: the Bachelor of Arts permits the study of music as a broad cultural course without the requirement of instrumental or vocal skills. Selected Music courses in music studies (eg popular music and media) may be taken as part of a BA. See the entry for the Bachelor of Arts (314071) or www.music.adelaide.edu.au.

A full range of Honours music programs are available incorporating one year of a major study focussed on your area of specialisation.

A double degree is available with the Bachelor of Arts and any of the three degree programs offered by the Conservatorium (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education or Bachelor of Music Studies). Students will graduate with both qualifications at the end of their study. Undertaking the double-degree option will add two more years on to the time required to complete. If you are interested in this possibility, you will need to apply for the combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music program through SATAC (course code 314081), audition as usual and then subsequently enrol in the appropriate Music program if you receive an offer of admission. For full details about each program, please consult the separate entries for the Bachelor of Arts and the various specialisations in Music.

As part of a 'stand alone' Bachelor of Arts program, students are permitted to study courses offered by the Elder Conservatorium of Music which do not require instrumental, vocal or other performance skills. Admission to those particular courses are therefore not subject to audition.

Music programs at the University of Adelaide seek not only to lead students towards the highest standards of personal achievement but to encourage flexibility, creativity and confidence which are essential ingredients of a successful career.  Graduates can follow a variety of professional pathways and the majority combine two or more different activities through most of their working career.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Music Education my be employed as specialist music teac hers in schools.  Performance studies can lead to employment in the professional music field as a soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, orchestral player or a studio teacher.  Majors in other areas may lead to employment in the fields of music education, composition, broadcasting or research.  Graduates may also be employed as arts administrators, community musicians or academics. Jazz musicians may be employed in bands or other performance ensembles.

Potential careers

Music Teacher, Community Musician, Music within the Indigenous Community, Musician / Singer, Music Technologist

Elder Conservatorium of Music Undergraduate Program Rules

• Music Program Information Leaflet
• Elder Conservatorium
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre enquiry form