The South African College of Music offers training in a range of orchestral instruments, piano, voice, African music and jazz. The College boasts several string, wind, jazz and percussion ensembles as well as choirs, a symphony orchestra and Jazz Big Band. In addition the Opera School annually presents a season of opera performances. All students are required either to play in the orchestras or bands or sing in the choirs, at the discretion of the Director.
Students who complete diploma or degree courses are ready to enter the profession of music either as teachers, singers or instrumentalists in Western Classical Music, Jazz Studies or African Music and Dance. Careers open to diplomates and graduates include orchestral playing, opera and oratorio singing, programme compiling for broadcasting networks, librarianship, performance, and education.
The wide range of postgraduate programmes offered includes: ethnomusicology; performance studies in classical music, African music and jazz; musicology (theory and history); and composition.
Undergraduate Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in Music:
Students who do not have Matriculation or a school-leaving certificate may complete the curriculum for the Performer's Diploma in Music or Opera but upon a successful completion of the programme students will be awarded a certificate in place of a diploma.
Programmes for the following degrees and diplomas in African Music and Dance commenced before 2005 may be found in the 2004 Faculty of Humanities Performing and Creative Arts Handbook, pp 72 - 93:
| Degree/Diploma |
Stream |
| BMus: African Music and Dance |
Performance [HB035] |
|
Education [HB036] |
|
Ethnomusicology [HB037] |
|
Foundation [HB053] |
| Performer's Diploma in Music |
African Music and Dance [HU023] |
| Teacher's Licentiate Diploma in Music |
African Music [HU022] |
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to any Bachelor of Music degree programme a candidate must have:
- Matriculation endorsement
- Passed an audition
- Music at C (Higher Grade) or B (Standard Grade) OR Grade V Theory of Music examination and Grade VII practical examination of Unisa OR the equivalent
- Written the PTEEP (Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes) and QLT (Quantitative Literacy Test)
To qualify for admission to the five-year Bachelor of Music Foundation programme a candidate must have:
- Matriculation endorsement
- Passed an audition
- Written the PTEEP (Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes) and QLT (Quantitative Literacy Test)
To qualify for admission to any diploma programme a candidate must have:
- A school-leaving (senior) certificate
- Music at C (Higher Grade) or B (Standard Grade) OR Grade VII practical (Unisa or equivalent)
- Grade V Theory of Music (Unisa or equivalent)
- Passed an audition
- Written the PTEEP (Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes) and QLT (Quantitative Literacy Test)
To qualify for admission to the Performer's Diploma in Opera a candidate must have:
- A school-leaving (senior) certificate
- The ability to read music
- A good voice
- Passed an audition
- Written the PTEEP (Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes) and QLT (Quantitative Literacy Test)
All candidates must arrange an audition with the Director of the College.
Notwithstanding the above requirements, an applicant may be allowed by the Director to demonstrate (by examination or audition or both) that he/she is able to profit from instruction.
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