Qualifications & leading Universities
To become the Artistic Director of an orchestra you need prior knowledge of music theory and practice. You will be required to attend an audition and an interview before gaining entry into your chosen course at university. You start studying an undergraduate Bachelor of Music (3 year full time degree), followed by honours and often a Masters in music. Griffith University, the University of Sydney, the Australian National University, Monash University and the University of Melbourne are among the tougher institutions to gain entry. They also enjoy an alliance with the state’s conservatorium of music. You can study music simultaneously with a course in musical theatre, if you aspire to the theatrical industry. If directing within the school system, you will need to complete a teaching qualification. Again, an education degree can be undertaken alongside your music degree, in the form of a double major.
The entry criteria for tertiary institiutions differs from year to year. The above comments are a guide only. To gain specific entry criteria either contact the relevant university or use Hobson's The Good University Guide.
Relevant Universities Colleges & TAFE
Careernav have trolled through all the universities, specialist colleges and TAFE’s across the nation to identify those courses we consider relevant to this career. We have only focussed on the core single degree and its full time period. We acknowledge many combination degrees are available and different students combine different degrees. Course names also differ by university and we have grouped like courses together. We may have missed the odd course being offered, so we recommend for a more detailed guide check with the universities direct or one of the university course guide books such as Hobson’s. Please note Careernav are totally impartial and do not recommend one tertiary institution over another. To view the A to Z of tertiary institutions that offer relevant courses for this career.
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About the Author
Jo Beaumont
Artistic Director - Orchestra Victoria
Orchestra Victoria is dedicated to making music for all Victorians and achieves this by presenting Community Program concerts in the local venues of regional and suburban centres across the state. Performances feature an exciting range of orchestral and chamber music repertoire with outstanding Orchestra Victoria musicians and guest artists as soloists.
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