If you have a qualification or experience in music performance, and are wishing to expand your skillset, study UCOL's New Zealand Diploma in Creativity. You'll gain skills and knowledge to effectively apply creative processes across a range of musical vocations and disciplines.

 

Graduates of this qualification will have transferrable skills and knowledge to complement employment roles in creative industries, other professions, and service agencies that require creative processes that cross sector boundaries.

 

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries, see Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Occupation Outlook for Performing Artists and Film, TV and Music Technicians.

 

This programme consist of 120 credits. The courses includes:

Performance 1A (15 Credits)
Create, interpret and evaluate original musical works and/or arrangements in a live performance environment. The course will cover compositional form and structure; arrangement techniques; self-management; communication; stage planning; technical riders; live sound mixing; PA system set up and pack down; health and safety regulations; stage performance; and audience engagement.

Composition and Technology 1A (15 Credits)
Create, develop and critique original musical works and/or arrangements using a wide range of music technology equipment and processes. The course will cover a variety of composition techniques and processes; application of software and hardware audio effects; sampling acoustic instruments; sampling loops; research of musical styles and sounds; arranging musical works; writing and arranging music for film; and writing and arranging music for advertising.

Music Theory (15 Credits)
Learn to define and contrast the use of music theory in a practical, written and aural environment. The course will cover exploring composers and their compositions; chord construction; chord-scale relationships; chord progression; harmonic analysis; chord substitution; interval recognition; rhythmic dictation; and melodic dictation.

Performance 1B (15 Credits)
Create, interpret and evaluate original musical works and/or arrangements in a live performance environment. The course will expand on your skills and help you to challenge conventions and discover new possibilities across a range of contexts. You'll create, arrange and evaluate musical compositions for a live performance; demonstrate leadership for a solo artist, band or ensemble; organise and evaluate a live performance for a solo artist or band/ensemble; and record and evaluate a live performance using multitrack recording hardware and software.

Composition and Technology 1B (15 Credits)
Create, develop and critique original musical works and/or arrangements using a wide range or music technology equipment and processes. The course covers exploring a variety of composition techniques and processes; evaluatioin of software and hardware audio efects; critical analysis of a song; recording and production techniques; and remixing and structural arrangement of songs.

Creative Industries (30 Credits)
Develop creative processes, implement a creative project and determine its viability. The course will cover marketing music; researching the viability of a business; small business finances; small business management; creative processes; self-management; communications; understanding of legal requirements for events; health and safety for public events; financial self-management; goal setting; and small business structures.

Professional Practice (15 Credits)
You will develop and apply the professional work skills and attributes required for facilitating learning and recording music. This will cover approaches and frameworks, lesson planning and development, basic teaching pedagogy, communication in teaching, application of advanced studio setup knowledge, organising studio time and musicians, producing songs for commercial release and basic mastering techniques.