Classical Performance

Students who wish to realise the full potential of their talent and focus it upon performance of their orchestral instrument or classical voice will find a welcome home at the Australian Institute of Music. The Institute’s Classical Department is recognized as one of the most flourishing and dynamic in the world, boasting many local, national & international prize winners. Through a program of individual lessons, master classes, performance practice, small and large ensembles, theory, history and aural training, students are given an education which focuses on transforming raw talent into intellectual, musical and artistic excellence.

Structure of the Performance Courses

The Classical Department of the Australian Institute of Music prides itself on providing highly practical courses offering students numerous opportunities to perform in a supportive, educational and professional environment.

Classical Performance Major

Major Study:

These units involve weekly one hour individual lessons and two hour master class. Master classes are divided per instrumental groupings: String, Piano, Wind, Guitar, Voice and Accordion.

Performance Studies
These units comprise a weekly two hour Concert Practice class, two formal concert performances in the John Painter Hall per semester and a weekly one hour Performance Studies class that is an ongoing investigation into performance mechanics and performance practices.

Ensemble

All classical students are provided in Ensemble with a weekly two hour tutorial and rehearsal.

Foundation and Critical Studies

All students undertake a suite of academic units comprising Foundation Studies in theory, history and aural training and Critical Studies, providing in-depth study of major musical periods and styles.

Associated Studies

Associated Studies are units that supplement the major study units. Classical Performance majors are able to select one associated study unit each semester from a suite of offerings including Teaching Techniques, Conducting, Audio Technology, Music Production, Arts Management and Guitar Skills. Additionally, an associated study unit is taken according to the instrument played: Accompaniment for pianists, Orchestra for orchestral instruments and Language for Singers for vocalists.

Other Performing Opportunities

In addition to the weekly performance classes, students have the opportunity to perform regularly in the “Young Music at St Andrews” series at St Andrew’s Cathedral and to perform at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in The Australian Institute of Music Sunday Concert Series.

Undergraduate awards
Diploma of Music
Advanced Diploma of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music (Honours).

Post Graduate awards
Graduate Certificate of Music
Graduate Diploma of Music
Master of Music

Instruments Available in the Classical Department

Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute,
Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet,
Trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Classical
Guitar, Classical Voice, Accordion and Harp.

HEAD of CLASSICAL

Dr Marina Phillips (violin and viola) was appointed as Head of Classical Performance and Young AIMS at the Australian Institute of Music in January 2005. Marina holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Western Australia, and holds a Doctorate from the University of Tasmania. For six years she was a lecturer in violin at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, an institution highly regarded for its outstanding contribution to Australian string pedagogy and performance. In Tasmania, she was also the Coordinator of Classical Music and Director of the Young Conservatorium and Winter String Schools. Late in 2005 Marina resigned from her appointment as the associate concertmaster of the Sydney based Australian Brandenburg orchestra with whom she performed as a soloist and toured nationally and internationally for 13 years. Marina is joined by violinist Sun Yi, Associate Concert Master of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Institute Alumni and cellist Patrick Murphy, also cellist of the Grainger Quartet to form one of Australia’s finest chamber ensembles, resident at AIM, the string trio ‘3 LINES.’