Conservatorium accompanists

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music provides students with an accompanist allowance to rehearse and perform with an approved accompanist in performance classes and practical examinations.

These allowances are available within the following degrees;

• Diploma in Music (Practical)
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Music (Honours)
• Graduate Diploma in Music (Practical)
• Master of Music (Performance Teaching)
• Master of Music (Music Performance)

Practical Examination Accompanist Allowance

Maximum accompanist allowance times are listed below and are inclusive of both rehearsal AND performance times (with the exception of RHD Master of Music recitals) eg. for a Bachelor of Music student enrolled in MUSI10221 Practical Music 2, the allowance would cover up to 1 hour and 40 minutes for rehearsal, and 20 minutes for the required examination time, for a total of 2 hours.

NOTE: Payment for any rehearsals in excess of the allocated hours indicated above, or for an accompanist not listed on the Conservatorium's list of approved accompanists, are the responsibility of the student.

List of approved conservatorium accompanists

Students are required to use accompanists from the Conservatorium's list of approved accompanists.

Students are required to notify the Conservatorium, via the Practical Examination Program Approval Form (due week 8 of each semester) of the accompanist that will be used for their recital examination. Students must notify the Faculty Academic Support Office if they are changing accompanists.

Non-keyboard accompaniment

Contemporary music students completing the Master of Music (Performance Teaching) and students undertaking specialist instrumental studies (eg. early music) can apply for special permission from the Faculty Academic Support Office to use an accompanist outside of the Conservatorium's list of approved accompanists.

FAQ Conservatorium accompanists

Apply to become an approved accompanist

Normally, completion of a postgraduate qualification in music performance, together with at least three years accompanying at a professional level, constitutes basic eligibility to lodge an application.

Do not contact members of staff directly regarding your application. Instead, prepare the following application materials:

• a detailed CV outlining qualifications, experience and a sample repertoire list demonstrating the range and level of repertoire in an accompanying role as well as a list of appropriate performances over the last three years.
• web-based, video recorded material demonstrating a professional level of concert accompaniment (at least 45 minutes in total) in at least three areas from the following: strings, woodwind, brass, voice or chamber music. Dates of the performances should be provided.
• two written references from professional (performing) musicians of standing that are not more than six months old and which comment directly on accompanying experience and capacity. The referees need to be available for further consultation if needed.

Send all materials and any queries by email to fineartsmusic-spf@unimelb.edu.au.

Frequently Asked Questions may be found here.