The Bachelor of Music is a three-year, 360 credit point, undergraduate degree program designed to prepare the student for entry into the music profession.  The course divides into five majors, and at the outset students choose their specialisations from the following:  Classical Performance; Jazz Performance; Composition; Music Technology; and Music Studies (those students interested in music education, offered jointly between WAAPA and the School of Education, should apply directly to the School of Education).  The strength of the programme is in its interdisciplinary nature.  For example, not only are the core areas of history and theory taught through a broad range of music, at every stage in the course the structure allows students to pursue highly specialist training in an area outside their major. With strengths in performance, composition, musicology, music technology and theory, the Music Programme has a large staff of pedagogues and scholar/performers whose expertise spans the whole gamut of the music world today.

Prospective students must apply through TISC and also to the Academy Admissions Officer.   For each applicant the Academy Admissions Officer will arrange a practical/theoretical test and an interview (normally held in November-December).  Further information on audition requirements and procedures is available from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/). 

At the outset students choose from one of the following five majors:

• Classical Performance
• Jazz Performance
• Music Technology
• Composition
• Music Studies

With the exception of common core subjects, the course has an internal flexibility that allows the student the choice of whether to narrowly pursue their major or, alternatively, to take a path that deliberately crosses genres.  Thus, while this course is unique in being able to offer such rich interdisciplinary routes (e.g. the Classical trombonist who takes classes in Jazz improvisation; the composer who works with dance or the Technology students who takes classes in counterpoint etc.), it can also accommodate students who are single-minded and intense in their focus (e.g. the no compromise Classical violinist; the Jazz improviser specialising in bebop and the film-music composer working only in electronic media etc.).

The course is divided into a sequential arrangement of four cornerstones of music.

1. Principal Studies encapsulates the principal practice of each major.  For performers - solo instrumental/vocal tuition is offered, as is experience and training in ensemble work and public performance skills.  Composers and music technology students follow a path that is both creative and theoretical, and students following the music studies major pursue largely historical/analytical/critical studies.
2. Music History and Culture: in addition to offering a broad range of historical surveys and specialist seminars,  offers modules in research skills and generic communication skills for the professional musician.
3. Music Techniques: comprises a sequentially graded course in music theory, aural training, improvisation, harmony, counterpoint, keyboard and composition skills.
4. Ensembles and Projects:  Small and large ensembles in a variety of genres; specialist projects across a range of musical topics and the opportunity to undertake electives from a multiplicity of areas.