| NMIT’s very popular part-time study options are an enjoyable
experience for musicians of most ages and abilities. The part-time
music program gives participants an opportunity to improve and
develop a variety of music skills, both theoretical and practical.
Students can choose from a range of units offered on-campus, off-campus
and online.
On-campus study options
(Available at the Fairfield and Greensborough campuses)
Theory 1A
This unit explores the fundamentals of music theory and notation.
Through familiarisation with the structures of music, students
will learn to analyse contemporary chord charts and lead-sheets
(both jazz and pop/rock). Topics include the fundamentals of pitch
and rhythm, scales (including modes), chord construction, chord
progressions, transposition and modulation.
Theory 1B & Improvisation
Theory 1B develops and consolidates concepts covered in Theory
1A through an exploration of chord/scale relationship, chordal
structures & substitutions, and turnaround progressions. Once these
more advanced concepts have been covered, students explore their
understanding by improvising over jazz standards using appropriate
scales, modes and chord tones.
Group Performance 1 (Band 1 or Vocal 1)
Students work collaboratively in a small ensemble and develop repertoire including jazz, gospel (vocal ensemble) and contemporary pop/rock music styles. The developed works are presented in four concert performances over one year - two of which are held off-campus at a Melbourne venue.
Group Performance 2 (Band 2 or Vocal 2)
Continuing on from Group Performance 1 (Band or Vocal), secondyear
students are required to:
• discuss and explore preferred styles and artistic strengths
• plan and maintain a performance program
• show evidence of rehearsal and preparation of parts between
supervised sessions.
These works are presented in four concert performances - two of which are held off -campus at a Melbourne venue.
Off -Campus Study Options
Keyboard 1 (pdf)
Keyboard 1, offered to all music performance students as a second instrument, is designed to develop and extend harmonic vocabulary and performance skills. During this module students will learn to play music in a range of contemporary styles, keys and tonalities. To fulfill the requirements of Keyboard 1, students will need access to an electronic keyboard or piano.
Principal Instrument Performance (PIP) (pdf)
PIP combines four music training package units clustered to
prepare students for a principal instrument performance. As well as
improving and developing music performance skills, this program
aims to develop an awareness of safe work practice (OH&S) and
instruct students on some of the promotional skills required by
performing musicians.
Online Study Options
Arranging 1 (online) (pdf)
Learn how to arrange music in a variety of contemporary musical styles. Explore phrasing, instrumentation and a variety of rhythms appropriate to contemporary rock, pop, country, hip-hop, disco, reggae, shuffle and Latin musical styles Apply conventional and creative techniques to developing melody, harmony, structure, and texture appropriate to your arrangement and use technology to produce scores suitable for working with other musicians. Pre-requisite: Theory 1A.
Songwriting (online) (pdf)
Learn how to express yourself effectively in words and music. Whether you are a relative beginner or a seasoned songwriter looking for new inspiration, this unit will provide you with a rich source of ideas and techniques to develop your songwriting skills. Through careful analysis of hit songs you will come to identify and create the structures that are the key elements of great hits. As you progress through the lessons, learn effective ways to develop your ideas into complete songs.
Copyright for Musicians (online) (pdf)
To many creative people, copyright seems like a complicated issue best left to lawyers, managers or other ‘experts’. Many musicians commit boundless time and energy to developing their craft and are not focused on how they might protect their creative work. Whether you perform, record, write and/or arrange your own music, it is essential that you are aware of your rights, and the rights of others under copyright law. Learn the simple yet vital steps necessary to safeguard your creative efforts and make them work for you now and in the future.
Music Industry Project (online/ work-based placement) (pdf)
This unit combines two music training package units that explore career paths in the music industry. Through a mixture of online lessons (20 hours) and work-based placement (60 hours), students work towards developing experience in the industry, examining careers in the music performance, music business, music production, music writing and music teaching sectors. Topics covered include music industry - contracts and agreements; contacts and relationships; organizations; and legal requirements, including OH&S, copyright and employment.
Will I be suited to online and off-campus study?
Before making the decision to apply for off-campus and online units, it is important to consider whether this type of study will suit you. To do well, students require high motivation and self-discipline to fit in their studies with their other commitments. Students who benefit from this type of educational experience usually find that the ‘time is right’ for them in terms of their personal and work/professional circumstances. If your circumstances are unstable at this point in time, you may find it difficult to commit, on a weekly basis, to the significant amount of time required. To be successful with online and off-campus study you must be able to prioritise your time and tasks and stick to these priorities to get work completed.
It is essential that online students have access to and confidence with computers, the Internet and other necessary technology. In 2008 online units will be offered in semesters 1 and 2 and require a time commitment between 2 to 5 hours per week per unit.
How do I apply?
Entry to NMIT’s part-time study programs are via an audition and interview process. Prospective students may audition on any instrument suited to jazz and contemporary popular music. Students should prepare two pieces that best demonstrates their abilities. Each piece should be between 2 to 4 minutes duration.
A drum kit (no sticks), piano, vocal PA, guitar and bass amplifier and CD/cassette player are supplied. The selection process also requires that prospective students undergo a theory test and an aural test. On campus study is held at both the Fairfield and Greensborough campuses.
Students are advised to audition at the campus of their preferred place of study. At the audition you should tell us if you would consider studying at the alternative campus if you are unsuccessful gaining a place at the campus of your choice.
What are the technology requirements for online study?
Students wanting to enroll into online units must have access to the following minimum technology requirements:
Software (available free on the Internet)
• Web browser (Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher; Netscape 6.0 or higher, Firefox 1.0 or higher, Safari 1.0 or higher) • Macromedia flash player 8
• Sibelius (preferred, additional fee may apply) or Make Music! Finale Notepad (Arranging 1 and Songwriting)
• Windows media player / Apple QuickTime 6
Hardware
• PC Users - Windows 2000/XP
• Mac Users OS 10.1 or later
• 256 MB RAM or higher recommended
• Sound Card
• A printer (recommended)
• A scanner is required if you want to transfer hand written scores into digital files
To book an audition call:
• NMIT Fairfield Campus: (03) 9269 8933 or
• NMIT Greensborough Campus: (03) 92691844.
For further information regarding on-campus study contact:
• Ben Harmsen on 03 9269 8934 or email
benh-pa@nmit.vic.edu.au
For further information regarding off-campus and online study contact:
• Fiona Blair on 03 9269 1842 or email
fionab-pa@nmit.vic.edu.au
How long does part-time study take?
Part time study can be undertaken at a rate to suit each individual. On campus units are normally completed over a two-year time frame. Off-campus and online study can be completed at any stage during your enrollment as a part-time student. Students are free to select from any of the part-time units available. Entrance into part time units is subject to availability and class sizes are limited.
On-campus and Off-campus study is conducted between February and November. On-campus classes are held on Tuesday evenings, from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Students enroll into Theory 1A and Group Performance 1 in their first year of on-campus study. Theory 1B/Improvisation and Group Performance 2 are undertaken in the second year of on-campus study. On-line units are completed over a 10 - 14 week period during terms 1 and 2, and again in terms 3 and 4 (enrolments permitting).
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