Overview

The Music - Performance Teaching program at University of Melbourne acknowledges the changing landscape of the music professional and will prepare you to work in schools, studios, community programs, private providers, and further education settings, both locally, nationally and internationally.

Specialisations

The course has two specialisations:

• The Instrumental Specialisation prepares students for school-based instrumental/vocal teaching, developing approaches, strategies and specific instrumental music pedagogy appropriate for individual and group instruction. This specialisation is underpinned by the latest research into curriculum, assessment, and teaching practice to provide the most relevant preparation for Instrumental-Vocal teachers. It includes three professional placements, which contribute partially to VIT registration and also provide the opportunity to develop a specific focus on conducting and orchestration.

• The Studio Specialisation prepares students for private studio-based instrumental/vocal teaching, with a focus on the development of the one-on-one setting, or small group lessons. This specialisation includes two professional placements and a focus on instrumental approaches and pedagogy. It is accompanied by a range of electives, allowing specialisation into areas related such as instrumental pedagogy, performance, conducting and research.

All students have the opportunity to participate in second instrument studies, which explores group teaching and related pedagogy, combined with the exploration of ensemble participation throughout the degree – all while developing a personalised awareness of pedagogy specific to performance teaching within the learning process.

Specialist pedagogical subjects, combined with individual lessons, enable you to acquire a deeper understanding of teaching issues that are specific to music performance through the use of both face-to-face, and virtual-online modes of delivery, to ensure you are prepared to teach in many settings. 

The skills and knowledge covered in this course provide a range of approaches to use with confidence as you teach music performance at all levels, across a range of learning environments.

Learning outcomes

• Advanced technical development on your selected instrument or voice as required of a teacher of music performance.
• Professional level of expertise and competence as an instrumental or vocal music teacher.
• Develop a range of teaching approaches for the delivery of instrumental or vocal lessons that foster independent, reflective, motivated and cooperative learning.