Yearbooks

Programme: BMus

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
01132003 Faculty of Humanities
Credits Duration
Duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 480
Contact:
Prof AF Johnson
[email protected]
+27 (0)124202316

Programme information

This programme is aimed at the acquisition of specialist music skills and knowledge. The programme can be compiled in such a way that, on its completion, students are qualified for a wide variety of music-related occupations, including the following: solo performer, orchestral or chamber musician, music teacher at all levels (for individual and group tuition), musicologist, music technologist, entrepreneur and impressario.

Closing date for applications: 30 June (late applications on request).

Admission requirements

  • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required Grade 12 certificate with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; and a candidate who is a graduate of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.

  • Candidates who comply with the minimum subject requirements and achievement levels as well as the APS requirements of these programmes will be granted placement in the programmes, subject to the availability of space. The abovementioned is not applicable to selection programmes.

  • To retain admission, learners will be expected to obtain an APS of at least 28 in Grade 12. Prospective students who have already been granted provisional admission in these programmes, but obtained at least an APS of 27 in Grade 12, will be considered by the Admission Committee should space be available. The Admission Committee of the Faculty of Humanities will consider these students once the results of the National Benchmark Test (NBT) are available and depending on the availability of space.

  • The Faculty will assess satisfactory performance in the NBT in the light of its commitment to ensure that an appropriate proportion of the applicants will be drawn from the disadvantaged category of the population.

  • Applicants who meet the minimum APS requirement, but who do not comply with the subject requirements must write the NBT.

  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.

  • Departmental selection is based on a practical singing or instrument performance of 15 minutes, as well as a theoretical test. Required subjects: Music with at least a 4 (50-59%) as Grade 12 subject, or Grade VII Practical and Grade V Theory (Unisa/Royal Schools/Trinity), as well as knowledge of music notation. Students who have been provisionally selected for BMus must undergo another practical selection test. The date of this selection will take place in consultation with the programme coordinator.

 

Minimum requirements 

Achievement level

APS

Afrikaans or English

NSC/IEB

HIGCSE

AS-Level

A-Level

5

3

C

C

30

 

 

Additional requirements

Departemental selection is required for this programme.

Admission is subject to tests in the first instrument, music theory and harmony. Level 4 in Music as a Grade 12 subject or Grade VII Practical and Grade V Theory (Unisa, Royal Schools, Trinity) serves as a guideline of the expected standard.

Other programme-specific information

  • Students who are deemed NOT to be at risk of their level of academic literacy, are exempted from ALL 110 and ALL 125.
  • MME 400 can only be taken if the first instrument is piano, violin, jazz or classical voice.
  • MEI 403 is performing art, with a public concert of 1 hour in the second semester.
  • The choice of instrument is based on the availability of an appropriate teacher. The University does not accept responsibility for providing a lecturer of these instruments where teaching costs exceed the normal.
  • In order to be admitted to MTI 100 (Second instrument) in any instrument other than percussion, organ, harpsichord or singing, a student should have reached at least Unisa Grade V or a comparable standard in that instrument; in the case of organ, harpsichord, percussion and singing, admission is at the discretion of the head of the department.

Practical music

Students choose a first and a second instrument from the following: Voice, piano, keyboard, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, guitar, recorder, saxophone and ensemble. Jazz and/or classical streams are allowed, according to availability.

Attendance modules

(i)    In addition to the modules mentioned in the learning programme, students are obliged to attend the weekly recital classes and  seminars.

(ii)   Students who play in the UP Symphony Orchestra can receive credits for a second instrument in the first, second and third year. In this case, students are expected to attend at least 80% of the orchestra rehearsals, must be available for the concerts, and play an examination of orchestral excepts (to the discretion of the head of the department) in the Music Department in the first and second semester.

(iii)  Unsatisfactory attendance at the performance classes, seminars and compulsory concerts may, at the discretion of the head of the department, lead to a lowering of the student’s MEI/MPM year mark.

Promotion to next study year

Admission to the second year of study

Must obtain at least 108 credits for music modules at year level 1.

Admission to the third year of study

Obtain all credits at level 1 (142 credits), as well as at least 130 credits for music modules at yr level 2.

Admission to the fourth year of study

Must obtain all credits at level 2 (155 credits), as well as at least 110 credits for music modules at yr level 3.

Pass with distinction

In order to be awarded the degree with distinction, a student has to obtain a weighted average of at least 75% for the final-year modules.

Minimum credits: 120

Select two elective modules at  year level 1 

Fundamental modules

  • Module content:

    Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology. Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.

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  • Module content:

    This module intends to equip students to cope more confidently and competently with the reading and understanding of a variety of texts, to apply these skills in a variety of contexts and to follow the conventions of academic writing.

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  • Module content:

    This module equips students to understand and use a range of discipline-specific terminology; apply the strategies of critical and comprehensive reading to their own academic literacy; apply the conventions of academic writing to their own writing, using the process approach, to produce intelligible academic texts and use the correct referencing technique as required by the faculty.

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Core modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    All major-, minor-, chromatic scales, modes, intervals, 3 and 4 part chords in all inversions, primary and secondary chord progressions, basic modulations, rhythmic and melodic sight-singing/dictation, based on the movable doh system, in Western and African music.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Research skills.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    African music.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. Technical work, recital pieces, sight reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Students enrolled for MEI 100 (jazz), must take MME 100 (jazz) & MTI 100 (jazz ensemble).

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  • Module content:

    *Requires departmental selection
    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    The Classical period. A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music through in-depth critical listening and reading of representative major composers, musical genres, styles and forms.

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  • Module content:

    *Requires departmental selection
    *Requires knowledge of music notation.

    The Baroque. A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music through in-depth critical listening and reading of representative major composers, musical genres, styles and forms.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    Classical and jazz: Melody, harmonic concepts, diatonic triads, cadences, diatonic quartads, secondary dominants, contrapuntal techniques in a two-part texture, phrase structures, one-part, binary, ternary forms; inventions and variation forms.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Classical and jazz: Melody, harmonic concepts, diatonic triads, cadences, diatonic quartads, secondary dominants, contrapuntal techniques in a two-part texture, phrase structures, one-part, binary, ternary forms; inventions and variation forms. This module is available for students who get less than 65% for the entrance theory test. Students with as pass mark of 75% and above may continue to MKT 200.
     

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Piano: The methodology of basic elements of piano tuition as well as relevant repertoire up to grd 3 level of all recognised examination boards. Evaluation of beginner and technical books for beginner tuition.
    Jazz: Technical skills and methods relevant to jazz improvisation, common forms and chord sequences, elements of style and repertoire. (Compulsory with MEI 100 (jazz))
    Classical voice: Physiology of the vocal mechanism; vocal hygiene; methodological concepts such as posture, breathing and phonation for singing; repertoire studies: Arie Antiche; voice classification.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    This module will cover a wide range of topics relevant for teaching music effectively and growing as a potential musician and music teacher. The teaching and learning experience will also include performing basic tasks in music technology that is required within a music career.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Repertoire, stylistic considerations, instrumental technique and performance demands for successful participation in a jazz ensemble. 

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Minimum credits: 120

Select two elective music modules at year level 2

Core modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    All major-, minor-, chromatic-, whole tone-, pentatonic scales, modes, intervals, 3 and 4 part chords in all inversions, recognition of chromatic chord progressions and improvisation, modulations, rhythmic and melodic sight-singing/dictation based on the movable doh system, in Western and African music.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. Technical work, recital pieces, sight reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Students enrolled for MEI 200 (jazz), must take MME 200 (jazz) & MTI 200 (jazz ensemble).
    Prerequisite is MEI 100 (jazz).

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  • Module content:

    *Hierdie inligting is slegs in Engels beskikbaar.
    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    The nineteenth century. A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music through in-depth critical listening and reading of representative major composers, musical genres, styles and forms.

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  • Module content:

    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    Twentieth-century music. A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music through in-depth critical listening and reading of representative major composers, musical genres, styles and forms.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Modulation with any key relationship, general chromatic chords, complex chord structures, contrapuntal techniques in a three-part texture, rondo form, sonata form, canon, fugue.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Piano: The methodology of basic elements of piano tuition as well as relevant repertoire up to grd 3 level of all recognised examination boards. Evaluation of beginner and technical books for beginner tuition.
    Jazz: Technical skills and methods relevant to jazz improvisation, common forms and chord sequences, elements of style and repertoire. (Compulsory with MEI 100 (jazz))
    Classical voice: Physiology of the vocal mechanism; vocal hygiene; methodological concepts such as posture, breathing and phonation for singing; repertoire studies: Arie Antiche; voice classification.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    This module will direct you to develop your own musical understanding and your understanding of teaching processes.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, and recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Repertoire, stylistic considerations, instrumental technique and performance demands for successful participation in a jazz ensemble.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Composition and orchestration
    Introduction to composition, notation and orchestration techniques.

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Minimum credits: 120

Select  3  elective modules at year level 3 

Core modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. Technical work, recital pieces, sight reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Prerequisite is MEI 200 (jazz).

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  • Module content:

    *Requires knowledge of music notation

    South African art music. A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music through in-depth critical listening and reading of representative major composers, musical genres, styles and forms.

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  • Module content:

    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    Jazz and contemporary popular music styles.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    Orchestration in classical and romantic idioms. Own compositions: works for small and bigger ensembles – jazz or contemporary idioms.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Specialisation in either Western, African or jazz ensemble music – the history, general repertoire knowledge, collaborative performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Jazz styles, analysis and improvisation concepts through practice and performance of relevant jazz repertoire. Prerequisite is MME 200 (jazz) and MEI 200 (jazz).

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    A foundation of music technology tailored towards the educational needs of the musician.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Procedures of Romanticism. 

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    An overview of music entrepreneurship by exploring concepts such as entrepreneurship, macro-and micro economic environments, how to create a business venture, project management, marketing, writing a business plan, basic accounting and financial management. It aims to prepare students for a portfolio career approach by managing the many facets of being a musician.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Piano: Advanced elements of tuition. The schools of technique, rubato and agogics, practice methods, memory function, study of the repertoire of all style periods up to Teachers’ Licentiate level of all recognised examination boards.
    Classical voice: International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for French; French diction for singers; the French mélodie; voice classification in-depth (continuance of MME 200), Fach-appropriate repertoire; the interpretation of style elements of the Baroque, Classical, Bel Canto, Romantic and Verismo eras.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    This module will guide you to be a successful music teacher. It will lead you in the process to be able to choose what you teach and the ways in which you choose to teach in a variety of teaching milieus, communities and contexts.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading and recital pieces of contrasting styles.

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Minimum credits: 120

Select 2 elective modules to the value of 80 credits

Core modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed - requires departmental selection

    Development of research methodology knowledge and skills in order to compile a research proposal. A supervisor will be allocated under whose guidance the student should conduct the proposed research, culminating in a research report on a music topic of 7 500 to 9 000 words.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Orchestration in a more modern/jazz idiom. Composition of more complex works for bigger ensembles – jazz or contemporary idiom.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    In Chamber Music: Specialisation in either Western, African or jazz ensemble music – historic background, collaborative instrumental performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Jazz styles, analysis and advanced improvisation concepts through practice and performance of relevant jazz repertoire. Jazz performance students must take MEI 403.
    Prerequisite is MSC 300 (jazz).
    In Music Therapy: An introduction to music therapy theory and practice.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Aspects of music technology or African music.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. Technical work, recital pieces, sight reading.
    In all instruments: Performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles.
    In Jazz: Note: Prerequisite is MSC 300 (jazz) and MEI 300.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. Public recital of a concert programme.
    In all instruments: Performance and stage deportment skills, memorisation techniques, June – 30 min. test recital, November – 60 min. public recital comprising contrasting works of an advanced technical standard.
    In Jazz: Prerequisite is MSC 300 (jazz) and MEI 300. Jazz performance students must take MCS 401.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    Capita selecta. Social scientific and philosophical scholarship in Musicology and critical thinking by examining music from various historical periods and genres. An overview of political structures and communal belief systems.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed - requires departmental selection

    Capita selecta. Social scientific and philosophical scholarship in Musicology and critical thinking by examining music from various historical periods and genres. An overview of political structures and communal belief systems.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Capita selecta. Procedures of the twentieth century.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection 
    *Compulsory membership of UP concert choir or Tuks Camerata
    Practical and theoretical aspects of choir conducting.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Piano: Advanced elements of tuition. The interpretation of style elements from the Baroque period to contemporary repertoire with focus on the Baroque and Classical tuition, study of classical and baroque repertoire Gr 7 and 8 level of all recognised examination boards.
    Classical voice: Advanced elements of tuition (continuance of MME 100, 200 & 300). Philosophy of teaching voice; practicing and self-regulation; teaching young voices; teaching breath management, resonance, registration, jaw and tongue position; expressive singing through use of the text. 

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    An overview of the field of Music Psychology which aims to explore how psychological research data, models and theories have been used to explain a range of musical behaviours including the development of musical ability and expertise, musical performance, emotional responses to music, and music listening behaviours.

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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