Bachelor of Musical Arts

The aim of the Bachelor of Musical Arts is to provide you with advanced competencies in performance, production, composition and arrangement. You will gain specialist skills in popular contemporary genres, gain transferable skills in critical analysis and research, and develop artistic integrity.

Music transcends boundaries, communicates and inspires. Our contemporary music degree pathway will take your music, performance and composition skills to an even higher level. In the final year of study, you will complete a supervised research project to add to a portfolio of work to take with you when you graduate.

Year One

MUS501 Applied Music 1

With weekly individual lessons from an instrument tutor, a series of workshops and classroom activities you will focus on technical and musical elements of music including pitch, rhythm, and harmony in a range of contexts. Subject to audition, you can choose to major in vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, horn(s), EMP (electronic music production), or singer-songwriting.

MUS502 Applied Music 2

With weekly individual lessons from an instrument tutor, a series of workshops and classroom activities you will focus on technical and musical elements of music including pitch, rhythm, and harmony in a range of contexts. Subject to audition, you can choose to major in vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, horn(s), EMP (electronic music production), or singer-songwriting.

MUS503 Music Performance 1

Focusing on your primary instrument within a group setting, Music Performance 1 and 2 helps you develop tools to perform original and cover material to a commercially viable industry standard. You will develop your capacity as a performer in both a live and studio setting, and learn industry-critical skills such as the creation of lead sheets, technical riders, and how to effectively and safely operate a PA system.

MUS504 Music Performance 2

Focusing on your primary instrument within a group setting, Music Performance 1 and 2 helps you develop tools to perform original and cover material to a commercially viable industry standard. You will develop your capacity as a performer in both a live and studio setting, and learn industry-critical skills such as the creation of lead sheets, technical riders, and how to effectively and safely operate a PA system.

MUS505 Contemporary Music Writing 1

Through a series of song and/or instrument writing assessments, Contemporary Music Writing 1 and 2 will help you develop Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) skills from a musician's perspective (a musician's guide to DAW). You will learn how to listen within context, to a broad range of musical genres and you will engage in contemporary music processes.

MUS506 Contemporary Music Writing 2

Through a series of song and/or instrument writing assessments, Contemporary Music Writing 1 and 2 will help you develop Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) skills from a musician's perspective (a musician's guide to DAW). You will learn how to listen within context, to a broad range of musical genres and you will engage in contemporary music processes.

CTX501 Contextual Studies 1

In Contextual Studies 1 you will develop critical thinking, research, communication skills, and develop the ability to view music through differing sociocultural perspectives including, but not limited to, race and gender.

CAS501 Creative Arts Industry Studies

In Creative Arts and Industry Studies, you will study and apply principles and practices of small business for self-employment in the audio, music, and related industries. You will analyse industry structures, practices and relevant legislation including copyright.

Year Two

Compulsory Papers (all streams)

MUS601 Advanced Applied Music 1

Following on from MUS501/2, you will continue to receive lessons from your primary instrument tutor, developing your technical ability and musicality to an advanced level. In class, you will study advanced harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic devices through the lens of established artists, then apply these devices to your own compositions.

MUS602 Advanced Applied Music 2

Following on from MUS501/2, you will continue to receive lessons from your primary instrument tutor, developing your technical ability and musicality to an advanced level. In class, you will study advanced harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic devices through the lens of established artists, then apply these devices to your own compositions.

MUS605 Advanced Contemporary Music Writing 1

Through study of composition and arrangement techniques, and further DAW engagement, Advanced Contemporary Music Writing 1 and 2 will help you develop your individual and collaborative music writing processes create your own musical identity. By the end of both courses, you will have a portfolio of music and sound related works.

MUS606 Advanced Contemporary Music Writing 2

Through study of composition and arrangement techniques, and further DAW engagement, Advanced Contemporary Music Writing 1 and 2 will help you develop your individual and collaborative music writing processes create your own musical identity. By the end of both courses, you will have a portfolio of music and sound related works.

CTX601 Contextual Studies 2

In Contextual Studies 2 you will develop a capacity to analyse the influences of Te Aro Māori and other knowledge frameworks on creative practices, and learn to analyse and critique a range of technological, socio-cultural and historical influences on creative practice using established academic conventions.

Elective 1 

You may choose any 15 credit elective from any Level 5 to Level 7 course at MAINZ including DJEMP, Music Event Management, and Bachelor of Audio Engineering and Production. 

Performance Pathway

MUS603 Advanced Music Performance 1

In Advanced Music Performance 1 and 2, you will develop individual and collaborative skills to inform your music performance identity. Following on from MUS503/MUS504, your performances will be focused on the development of your own compositions, both in the studio and on stage. You will learn to take risks with your song writing and be encouraged to venture from your comfort zone as a process of artistic self-development.

MUS604 Advanced Music Performance 2

In Advanced Music Performance 1 and 2, you will develop individual and collaborative skills to inform your music performance identity. Following on from MUS503/MUS504, your performances will be focused on the development of your own compositions, both in the studio and on stage. You will learn to take risks with your song writing and be encouraged to venture from your comfort zone as a process of artistic self-development.

Production Pathway

AEP504 Applied Audio Engineering 1

As an alternative to the L6 performance pathway, by choosing the L6 production pathway you will develop your capacity in audio engineering and production. You will use audio hardware to apply standard audio engineering processes to complete a multi-track recording. You will critically analyse historic approaches to audio engineering, music production, audio technology, and processes and techniques as they apply to dynamic recording and missing contexts.

AEP602 Production Styles

As an alternative to the L6 performance pathway, by choosing the L6 production pathway you will develop your capacity in audio engineering and production. You will use audio hardware to apply standard audio engineering processes to complete a multi-track recording. You will critically analyse historic approaches to audio engineering, music production, audio technology, and processes and techniques as they apply to dynamic recording and missing contexts.

Year Three

Compulsory Papers (all Streams)

CAP702 Major Project Planning

The student-led capstone project will allow you to work within areas of interest applicable to your own artistic identity. This may include (but not be limited to) the creation and/or production of an album or EP, film score or music for game audio.

CAP703 Major Project Implementation

The student-led capstone project will allow you to work within areas of interest applicable to your own artistic identity. This may include (but not be limited to) the creation and/or production of an album or EP, film score or music for game audio.

RES702 Research

You will learn to analyse, evaluate and apply effective and appropriate research methodologies and effective problem solving strategies to research projects. You will write a research report, and deliver an oral presentation of research findings to the class.

SON703 Sonic Art and Applied Production

You will learn the history and application of Sound Art & Sound Design techniques, including practical skills in advanced sound theory, electronics, and the development of studio based production skills.

Elective 2

You may choose any 15 credit elective from any Level 5 to Level 7 course at MAINZ including DJEMP, Music Event Management, and Bachelor of Audio Engineering and Production. Alternatively you may choose a 15 credit elective from a Level 5-7 course from any NZ provider.

Elective 3

You may choose any 15 credit elective from any Level 5 to Level 7 course at MAINZ including DJEMP, Music Event Management, and Bachelor of Audio Engineering and Production. Alternatively you may choose a 15 credit elective from a Level 5-7 course from any NZ provider.