Yearbooks

Programme: BMus

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
01132003 Faculty of Humanities Department: School of the Arts
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 510 NQF level:  08

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

Please apply as soon as applications open on 1 March.

  • The closing date is an administrative admission guideline.
  • Once a non-selection programme is full and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
  • Faculty Yearbooks: click here.

1. You will be considered for conditional admission, if space allows, and if you:

  • are a Grade 11 applicant, please submit your final Grade 11 examination results, and have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement or an equivalent qualification; OR
  • are transferring from other recognised institutions to the University of Pretoria; OR
  • are a graduate or have graduate status from another recognised tertiary institution; OR
  • are a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria; AND
  • comply with the minimum subject requirements and achievement levels, as well as the APS requirements of specific programmes.
  • If you are an international applicant please apply for conditional admission based on your final results equivalent to Grade 11.
  • Final admission is based on the qualification equivalent to the NSC.

2. You will be considered for final admission to degree studies, if space allows, and if you:

  • have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with admission to Bachelor’s degree studies; and comply with the minimum subject requirements as well as the APS requirements of their chosen programme; OR
  • are a student transferring from another recognised tertiary institution and comply with the programme requirements; OR
  • have graduate status from another recognised tertiary institution, or are a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • If you are an international student or are a student with other qualifications equivalent to the NSC (including school qualifications from other countries, eg Spain, New Zealand, etc), you must obtain a Complete Exemption Certificate or a Foreign Conditional Exemption Certificate based on your international (‘foreign’) qualifications. Certificates can only be obtained from Universities South Africa (USAf) at click here. In addition, these candidates must meet the relevant programme admission requirements.

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

 

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

 

5

 

C

 

30

To retain admission, you must obtain an APS of at least 28 in the NSC.

Required subjects: Music with at least a 4 (50-59%) as a Grade 12 subject, or Grade VII Practical and Grade V Theory (Unisa/Royal Schools/Trinity), as well as  knowledge of music notation.

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

  1. In addition to the modules mentioned in the learning programme, students are obliged to attend the weekly recital classes and  seminars.
  2. It is compulsory for all music students to be a member of a departmental ensemble, choir and/or the UP Symphony Orchestra and UP Symphonic Wind Orchestra.
  3. Unsatisfactory attendance at the performance classes, seminars and compulsory ensembles and choirs as stipulated under (i) and (ii) may, at the discretion of the head of the department, lead to a lowering of the student’s practical or any one academic module’s 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: 130

  • Select either MKT 100 or MKT 102 as a core module.

Fundamental modules

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
    This module is intended to equip students with a) language and research skills, academic writing, assignment writing, plagiarism, referencing, and an introduction to Musicology, and b) providing music students with knowledge and skills for optimal development as performing artists. Specific strategies for health promotion as well as the prevention of injury will be focused on. A variety of health-related topics will include: the role of nutrition and rest, dealing with stress, music performance anxiety, musculoskeletal health and hearing health.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Technical work, solo recital including ensemble playing, and sight-reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles, and chamber/ensemble works comprising 25% of repertoire selection. Compulsory is the performance of a South African (solo or ensemble) composition of an acceptable standard.
    In jazz: Students enrolled for MEI 100 (jazz), must take MME 100 (jazz) & MTI 100 (jazz ensemble).

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    Baroque, Classical and Introduction to Jazz: A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music during the Baroque and Classical era, and an introduction to the history of jazz, 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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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Piano: The methodology of basic elements of piano tuition as well as relevant repertoire up to grade 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: International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for Italian; Italian diction for singers; practice methods; physiology and anatomy of the vocal mechanism; vocal hygiene; methodological concepts such as dynamic body alignment and breathing for singing; Baroque repertoire studies.
    Music education: A wide range of topics are covered, relevant to teaching music effectively. Opportunities are provided for you to grow your potential as musician and as music educator.

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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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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Piano: The methodology of basic elements of piano tuition as well as relevant repertoire up to grade 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: International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for Italian; Italian diction for singers; practice methods; physiology and anatomy of the vocal mechanism; vocal hygiene; methodological concepts such as dynamic body alignment and breathing for singing; Baroque repertoire studies.
    Music education: A wide range of topics are covered, relevant to teaching music effectively. Opportunities are provided for you to grow your potential as musician and as music educator.

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Minimum credits: 126

Elective module (Optional – not part of the prescribed credits)

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.

    View more

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Technical work, solo recital including ensemble playing, and sight-reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles, and chamber/ensemble works comprising 25% of repertoire selection. Compulsory is the performance of a South African (solo or ensemble) composition of an acceptable standard.
    In jazz: Students enrolled for MEI 200 (jazz), must take MME 200 (jazz)
     

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    The Romantic era, Twentieth century Art music, Jazz: A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of Western art music that spans the Romantic era, twentieth century, and jazz, 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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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    Piano: The methodology of basic elements of piano tuition as well as relevant repertoire up to grade 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: International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for German; German diction for singers; phases of phonation; reducing tension in the vocal mechanism; voice classification and opera styles; singing recitativo; classical vs contemporary singing; Classical repertoire studies.
    Music education: This module will direct you to develop your own musical understanding, enabling you to create inspiring music experiences in a teaching and learning environment. Opportunities for honing your teaching skills will be provided through community music engagement


     

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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:

    Programme-specific execution of a community-related project.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Composition and orchestration
    Digital notation and introduction to orchestration techniques.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection.

    This module is the start of a series of modules that form part of an elective programme aiming to prepare, equip and train the student with music-technology related skills and specialisations. It is designed to provide a thorough introductory audio-related engineering and programming skillset for the candidate. The student enrolled in the elective programme does so with the intention to be trained as an expert in the music-technology field and related disciplines.

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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.
     

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Minimum credits: 120

Select three elective modules.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Technical work, solo recital including ensemble playing, and sight-reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles, and chamber music/ensemble works comprising 25% of examination repertoire selections. Compulsory is the performance of a South African (solo or ensemble) composition of an acceptable standard.
    In jazz: Prerequisite is MEI 200 (jazz).

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    *Requires knowledge of music notation.
    The twentieth-century. A historical musicological approach to the development and contexts of music in the 20th century, including Western Art music, Indigenous Art music, Pop and Jazz, through in-depth critical listening and reading of representative major composers, musical genres, styles and forms.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection

    Introduction to acoustic and electroacoustic compositional practices, advanced notation, film scoring and vocal writing.

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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).

    View more

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection.

    This module is the second in a series of modules that form part of an elective programme aiming to prepare, equip and train the student with music-technology related skills and specialisations. It is designed to provide a thorough, post-introductory audio-related engineering and programming skillset for the candidate. The student enrolled in the elective programme does so with the intention to be trained as an expert in the music-technology field and related disciplines.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Classical theory: Procedures of Romanticism
    Jazz theory: Analysis and theory of contemporary jazz

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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; general musicianship; stage presence; professional collaboration; introductory concepts of singing pedagogy; Romantic repertoire studies.
    Music education: This module provides guidelines and opportunities so that you can become a successful music educator, leading you to choose appropriate content, teaching strategies and skills in order to teach in a variety of 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 two elective modules to the value of 80 credits. 
  • Only one of MEI 400 or MEI 403 may be selected.

Core modules

Elective modules

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection.

    Portfolio of acoustic or electroacoustic compositions.

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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: This module is the third and final in a series of modules that form part of an elective programme aiming to prepare, equip and train the student with music-technology related skills and specialisations. It is designed to provide an advanced and thorough, audio-related engineering and programming skillset for the candidate. The student enrolled in the elective programme does so with the intention to be trained as an expert in the music-technology field and related disciplines.

    View more

  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Technical work, solo recital including ensemble playing, and sight-reading.
    In all instruments: Technical work, sight-reading, performance skills, recital pieces of contrasting styles, and chamber music/ensemble works comprising 25% of examination repertoire selections. Compulsory is the performance of a South African (solo or ensemble) composition of an acceptable standard.
    In jazz: Prerequisite is MCS 300 (jazz) and MEI 300 (jazz)

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Public recital of a combination of solo (75%) and ensemble (25%) works.
    In all instruments: Performance and stage deportment skills, memorisation techniques, June – 30 minutes test recital, November – 60 minutes public recital comprising contrasting solo works of an advanced technical standard. Chamber music compositions have to constitute 25% of the programme content. Compulsory is the inclusion of a South African (solo or ensemble) composition of an appropriate standard.
    In jazz: Prerequisite is MCS 300 (jazz) and MEI 300. Jazz performance students must take MCS 401.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection
    Philosophy of Music: An historical and systematic musicological approach to the Philosophy of Music through in-depth critical reading of representative major philosophers over time, from the Ancient Greeks to the present, as well as critical scrutiny of concurrent musical development.

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  • Module content:

    *Closed – requires departmental selection. 
    Classical theory: Capita selecta: Procedures of the twentieth century.
    Jazz theory: Analysis and theory of contemporary jazz

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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; twentieth-century repertoire studies.
    Music education: Philosophical grounding and didactics of music education. Themodule is designed for subject specialists to think critically and deeply about music teaching and learning. Your knowledge and practical skills will be enhanced and linked to artistic citizenship, choral conducting and African music to facilitate teaching and learning for musical understanding.

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  • Module content:

    The aim of the module is to present a broad overview of how psychological research, 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.
    Requirement: An interest in psychology, and prior experience in formal music training or experience in choir singing.

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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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