Stage One courses
2025
Updated October 2024
- If this is your first year enrolling for a BMus or conjoint degree, then check out our First Year of Music enrolment planning guide.
- The below list of course offerings include all specialisation-specific and open-enrolment Stage One MUS offerings. Please review the 'Programme Restriction' section of a course for details on who can enrol.
- If you have any questions, contact the Student Hubs.
MUS 103 and MUS 104
All BMus and conjoint students take MUS 103 and MUS 104 as standard:
- There is the option of taking a theory test to see if you can enter directly into MUS 104 without having completed MUS 103.
- If you wish to take this test, then please see the MUS 103 Canvas page where it will be available from 1st February onwards.
- You must be enrolled in MUS 103 to access this test.
- You will be notified of the result via email and if you are approved to enter directly into MUS 104, you will then be able to drop MUS 103.
MUS 103 - Music Fundamentals
- Course prescription: A practical and theoretical overview of the fundamental written and aural skills required for music literacy. This course prepares students for MUS 104 and further university-level study and practice in music.
- Semester availability: Semester One
- Restriction: MUS 100, MUS 101, 104, 174, 184, 284
- Points: 15
MUS 104 - Music Literacies
- Course prescription: The development of music theory, aural skills and perception necessary to be an effective musician. The study of basic theory, harmony, analysis, aural perception and musicianship with exemplars from classical, jazz and popular music genres. Includes a choral performance component.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Prerequisite: MUS 103
- Points: 15
Courses offered this year
MUS 106 - Ensemble Communication and Direction
- Course prescription: An examination of the skills and techniques required for the communication and direction of ensembles including orchestras, bands, jazz and contemporary ensembles, choirs and other performing arts contexts. Includes knowledge of repertoire style, genre and period associated with directing music.
- Semester availability: Semester One
- Points: 15
MUS 110 - Composition 1
- Course prescription: Foundational studies in music composition and sonic arts. Modular content includes: rhythm and meter, melody and harmony, structure and gesture, time and meter, synthesis and notation and repertoire study. Students may complete Composition 1 and Composition 2 in any order.
- Semester availability: Semester One
- Points: 15
MUS 111 - Composition 2
- Course prescription: Foundational studies in music composition and sonic arts. Modular content includes: rhythm and form, timbre and texture, aesthetics and function, style and idea, material and manipulation, creative planning and processes and the composer in society. Students may complete Composition 1 and Composition 2 in any order.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Points: 15
MUS 120 - Performance 1
- Course prescription: Individual lessons and performance classes on an approved instrument or voice. (see course outline and instrumental/vocal syllabus for specific curriculum requirements).
- Semester availability: Semester One and Two
- Programme Restriction: Creative Practice: Classical
- Points: 15
Instrument workshops:
- W01C - Voice
- W02C - Piano
- W03C - String
- W04C - Brass
- W05C - Wind
- W00C - All other instruments
MUS 121 - Performance 2
- Course prescription: Continuation of work undertaken in MUS 120. See course outline and instrumental/vocal syllabus for specific curriculum requirements.
- Semester availability: Semester One and Two
- Prerequisite: MUS 120
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Classical
- Points: 15
Instrument workshops:
- W01C - Voice
- W02C - Piano
- W03C - String
- W04C - Brass
- W05C - Wind
- W00C - All other instruments
MUS 125 - Music in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Course prescription: An introduction to the ways in which music is and has been situated in Aotearoa New Zealand, concentrating on the issue of music’s connection to place and the contexts of music composition and performance across classical genres, jazz and pop, contemporary and traditional Māori music (including taonga pūoro), and music from Asia and the Pacific region.
- Semester: Semester One
- Restriction: MUS 143, MUS 343
- Points: 15
MUS 130 - Introduction to Music Technology
- Course prescription: A survey of digital technologies available to assist producing, composing, and performing music. Topics may include: music production (Digital Audio Workstation, MIDI and audio recording/editing, synthesis, and multi-track mixing), sonic art (sound-based composition, visual music, interactive installations), and computer music (sound design, live coding, algorithmic composition).
- Semester: Semester One and Two
- Restriction: MUS 119
- Points: 15
MUS 145 - Western Music Across the Centuries
- Course prescription: A comprehensive overview of the enormously rich repertory of Western music, from the beginnings of a literate tradition, through the classical giants, to the present day.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Prerequisite: MUS 125 or 143
- Points: 15
MUS 149 - Rock to Reggae: Tracking Popular Music in New Zealand
- Course prescription: An introduction to New Zealand’s home-grown popular music, from the 1950s to the present day. A broad range of musical styles will be considered and situated within various social contexts. The issue of cultural identity in music – at national and local levels – will also be explored.
- Points: 15
- Semester availability: Summer School, Semester One and Two
MUS 162 - Introduction to Music Teaching and Learning
- Course prescription: A conceptual and practical introduction to music teaching and learning in its various forms and contexts. A survey of the field including studio pedagogy, music education methods, school music, community music, lesson planning, composition and improvisation pedagogy, and foundational knowledge of music teaching and learning.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Restriction: MUS 160
- Points: 15
MUS 170 - Jazz Performance 1
- Course prescription: The development of instrumental technique and improvisational skills though in-depth study of scales, rhythm, harmony and relevant musical analysis. This course prepares students who major in Jazz Performance and includes 1:1 tuition and group-based improvisation classes.
- Semester availability: Semester One
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Jazz
- Corequisite: MUS 197A/B
- Points: 15
MUS 171 - Jazz Performance 2
- Course prescription: Continuation of the work undertaken in MUS 170.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Prerequisite: MUS 170
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Jazz
- Points: 15
MUS 180 - Creative Practice in Popular Music 1
- Course prescription: Exploration of ideas and processes in the creation and presentation of popular music through workshops, seminars and group discussion. Students will write songs, compose music, use music recording and production techniques and present aspects of their coursework in live performance.
- Semester availability: Semester One
- Programme Restriction: Creative Practice: Popular Music
- Points: 15
MUS 181 - Creative Practice in Popular Music 2
- Course prescription: Continuation of work undertaken in MUS 180.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Prerequisite: MUS 180
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Popular Music.
- Points: 15
MUS 276 - Jazz History (this course has replaced MUS 174)
- Course prescription: A critical examination of musical styles, performers, cultural and industrial contexts surrounding jazz musics from the mid-nineteenth century, including ragtime, through New Orleans, swing, be-bop, cool, free, third-stream and post-bop. An in-depth study of primary exponents of various styles.
- Semester availability: Semester Two
- Prerequisite: 30 points passed in Music
- Programme restriction: MUS 176
- Points: 15
Double-Semester Courses
MUS 190A / B - Auxiliary Performance Study 1
- Course prescription: Tuition on an approved traditional or computer-based instrument or voice.
- Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
- Prerequisite: Entrance is by audition. Departmental approval.
- Note: Submit an enrolment concession to apply for an audition, unless you have been granted prior approval.
- Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 190A (7.5pts) and MUS 190B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)
MUS 191A / B - Classical Ensembles 1
- Course prescription: The development of performance skills through ensemble work including chamber music, string orchestra, wind orchestra, flute choir, contemporary ensembles and other combinations.
- Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Classical.
- Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 191A (7.5pts) and MUS 191B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)
MUS 192A / B - Performance Skills for Instrumentalists 1
- Course prescription: The development of a range of instrumental performance skills beyond those gained in the instrumental studio including collaborative piano, repertoire studies, ensemble techniques, basic pedagogy, keyboard skills, accompanying and other applications.
- Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Classical.
- Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 192A (7.5pts) and MUS 192B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)
MUS 193A / B - Performance Skills for Singers 1
- Course prescription: The introduction of vocal practices that help voice students develop and sustain a professional vocal career. This course aims to give vocal students the knowledge and practical experience necessary to develop and maintain vocal health in diverse performing contexts.
- Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Classical.
- Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 193A (7.5pts) and MUS 193B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)
MUS 196A / B - Popular Music Performance 1
- Course prescription: The development of instrumental technique and interpretative skills through the in-depth study of scales, rhythm, harmony and the relevant musical analyses of set works. This course prepares students who major in Popular Music with 1:1 instrumental tuition and group-based classes and/or workshops.
- Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
- Prerequisite: Audition required
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Popular Music
- Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 196A (7.5pts) and MUS 196B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)
MUS 197A / B - Jazz Ensembles
- Course Prescription: The application of instrumental and improvisional techniques through performance practice. This course develops stylistic, interpretive and literary musical skills through a variety of large and small ensembles.
- Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
- Corequisite: MUS 170
- Programme restriction: Creative Practice: Jazz
- Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 197A (7.5pts) and MUS 197B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)