Diploma in Contemporary Music: Christchurch

One Year of Developing Your Music Passion

The Diploma in Contemporary Music provides a unique opportunity for you to develop your passion for music in a Christian environment and within the context of Christian beliefs and ministry. It combines performance with academic study.

The Diploma in Contemporary Music is a comprehensive year of study at New Zealand degree level and is designed for people who want to develop formal music knowledge and skills, or who want to go on and complete the entire degree. Students will study stimulating music subjects that require critical thinking, written and verbal communication. As well as developing a sound knowledge of music theory, students choose from either the vocal or instrumental stream and enrol in one of these. Students opting for the instrumental stream can choose instruments from contemporary (rock) or orchestral disciplines. The Diploma also includes the option for students to study theology if they would like, helping build a solid biblical foundation for both life and ministry.

Our purpose-built music facility, known as The Shed, includes its own auditorium, practice rooms, classrooms, student lounge and full Pro Tools recording studio. Student computers equipped with Pro Tools and extensive music software.

Course Snapshot 

Papers

Core Subjects

• Fundamentals of Music 1
• History of Popular Music 1
• Songwriting 1
• Music Production & Technology 1
• Music Industry & Business Studies 1
• Ensemble Workshop and Sightsinging 1
• Plus Major

Optional Papers

• Christian Theology, Worship and Practice
• Composition and Arranging

Instrument Stream

• Instrument Major
• Ensemble and Voice Minor

Voice Stream

• Vocal Major
• Ensemble and Instrument Minor

Availability of subjects listed may vary.

Entry Requirements

You must :

• Be a minimum age of 17 and have four years secondary education (NCEA 2) or be a mature student aged over 20
• Be interviewed and auditioned
• Students wishing to enrol in the July intake will need to be at Grade 3 theory level, either ABRSM or Trinity. 
• Students for who English is a second language must have an IELTS score of 6.0 academic with no individual band lower than 5.5, or equivalent. If the student has completed a qualification in English at New Zealand Diploma level or above, the IELTS requirement may be waived.

Graduate Opportunities

• Church Music Director
• Arts Administrator
• Musician
• Private Music Teacher
• Advertising Industry
• Radio TV Broadcasting
• Sound Technician
• Music, Film and TV Industries

Further Study

One extra year of study will complete the Diploma in Performance Music (Level 6).

A further two years of study will complete the Bachelor of Music (CCM).

How do I Enrol?

To enrol, download and print these files:

Download Enrolment Form (NZ students) International Students: use the International Enrolment Form