Ethnomusicology

Explore how people around the world use music and sound to shape their lives.

Ethnomusicology at the Conservatorium

Our students examine how culture shapes music—and how music shapes culture. By studying the practices, values and ideas related to music making in a particular culture, we seek to make broader claims about social life in the modern world.

Our program is defined by its methods, which include ethnographic fieldwork, interviewing, and participant observation, as well as its questions, which draw from approaches in anthropology, media studies and other related disciplines. Our program is closely allied with Musicology and popular music studies.

Study Ethnomusicology

We will provide you with multiple pathways into learning about traditional, popular, and art musics from around the world. Undergraduate Bachelor of Music students can apply to major in ethnomusicology, taking a guided program of specialised study. Graduate student study options include the Graduate Diploma (by coursework) and research higher degrees (MMus and PhD).

Undergraduate students from other areas of the University can learn about non-Western traditions and popular music styles through related breadth study subjects such as Musics of the World, Global Pop, and Area Studies in Ethnomusicology.

World music performance ensembles

We support a diverse world music performance program featuring five non-Western ensembles. As a student, you will have the opportunity to acquire practical skills in a range of traditions, including the Chinese silk-and-bamboo ensemble, the Central Javanese gamelan, West African drumming, Japanese shakuhachi, and world choral styles.

Ethnomusicology courses

The most enjoyable part of my study is learning about cultural diversity through the wide array of music found around the world. Everything from Japanese rap to Brazilian samba to Hindustani classical music — it is incredibly compelling

James McKinnon
Bachelor of Music, specialisation in Ethnomusicology

Our people

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Conservatorium Events

  • Lorca’s Musics and Echoes of the Spanish Civil War

    Friday 17 July 2026 - All day
    On the 90th anniversary of the start of the Spanish Civil War, staff and students of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, along with international guests, join in offering a concert and launch of the new book Music, Propaganda and the Spanish Civil War (edited by Michael Christoforidis and Dieg...
  • Master of Music (Orchestral Performance) Showcase Concert 2026

    Wednesday 29 July 2026 7:30pm - 9:15pm
    Join our Master of Music (Orchestral Performance) students in their annual showcase concert. You will hear the entire cohort perform alongside elite musicians from our city’s professional orchestras. The concert will be introduced by members of the ensemble and directed by Richard Davis and Tim B...
  • Classical Voice Mega Day 2026

    Sunday 2 August 2026 9:30am - 6:00pm
    We are inviting high school students and singing teachers with an interest in classical voice to join us for a celebration of all things singing with Conservatorium staff, students and alumni at a free Classical Voice Mega Day. Participants will engage in workshops, masterclasses and rehearsals, ...
  • Earth-Like

    Wednesday 5 August 2026 7:00pm - 8:15pm
    Quercus Trio, pioneers in celebrating Australian horn trios, present trios by Don Banks and John Polglase alongside Stuart Greenbaum’s horn trio “Earth-Like,” a world premiere exploring our search for habitable worlds and what makes us human. From cosmic conditions for life to intimat...
  • Southbank Series: In Full Flight

    Saturday 5 September 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm
    The second concert in the Southbank Series draws together four composers across three centuries, each with a distinct voice. Program Igor Stravinsky Danses Concertantes Carl Nielsen Flute ConcertoLisa-Maree Amos, Section Principal Flute Paul Stanhope ApolloLudwig van Beethoven Sympho...
  • Get Up 2026

    29 July 2026 - 9 September 2026
    Jazz and Improvisation students lead jam sessions. All music students welcome. Get Up Schedule 29 July 2026, 7PM - Lionel Lounge 19 August 2026, 7PM - Lionel’s Lounge 9 September 2026, 7PM - Lionel’s Lounge Venue This jam session takes place in Lionel’s Lounge. Please ente...
  • Keyboard Festival 2026: Dmitri Shostakovich’s Complete Preludes and Fugues Opus 87

    31 October 2026 - 1 November 2026
    The Keyboard Area staff of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music invites pianists and music lovers alike for a rare opportunity to hear the complete 24 Preludes and Fugues of Dmitri Shostakovich at the 2026 Keyboard Festival. Among the most distinguished pianists in Australia, these performan...
  • Keyboard Festival 2026: Dmitri Shostakovich’s Complete Preludes and Fugues Opus 87

    31 October 2026 - 1 November 2026
    The Keyboard Area staff of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music invites pianists and music lovers alike for a rare opportunity to hear the complete 24 Preludes and Fugues of Dmitri Shostakovich at the 2026 Keyboard Festival. Among the most distinguished pianists in Australia, these performan...
  • Southbank Series: Worlds Within

    Saturday 5 December 2026 7:30pm - 9:00pm
    The final concert of the 2026 Southbank Series brings the season to a deeply reflective close under the direction of Eivind Aadland, Chief Conductor of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Program Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us for Chamber Orchestra Richard Strauss: Metamorphosen fo...
  • Gender Defying Jazz 2026

    8 November 2026 - 6 December 2026
    Gender Defying Jazz (GDJ) is a program run by Andrea Keller, Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne. Beginning in 2017 and originally called Girls Do Jazz, the name of the program has been changed to Gender Defying Jazz, to more truly re...

News

New intercultural music composition captures the fragility and wonder of unique Melbourne grasslands

14 May 2026
Ahead of its premiere at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Kate Tempany discusses her latest work, ‘Grasslands Suite’, which blends ecolog...

New ‘ParaOrchestra’ for young musicians with disability seeks members for first cohort

21 April 2026
A new music performing ensemble for young people living with disability is currently seeking members for its inaugural cohort....

John Davis receives prestigious Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award

20 March 2026
John Davis has been named the recipient of the 2026 Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award, recognising his outstanding contributions to music in Australia....

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