Music Performance

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is one of the most vibrant centres for undergraduate and graduate music performance study in Australia.

Study Music Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

You will be led by internationally renowned teachers and performers who are there to guide and develop your instrumental or vocal potential to the fullest.

Our students enjoy numerous opportunities to develop their technique and awareness through all performance programs. In most programs you experience individual instrumental or vocal lessons, weekly performance classes, public concerts, and master classes with distinguished national and international performers.

The Ensemble Performance Experience in the Conservatorium

You will be led by internationally renowned teachers and performers who are there to guide and develop your instrumental or vocal potential to the fullest.

Our students enjoy numerous opportunities to develop their technique and awareness through all performance programs. In most programs you experience individual instrumental or vocal lessons, weekly performance classes, public concerts, and master classes with distinguished national and international performers.

Included in the wealth of performance options at the University of Melbourne, is the opportunity for students to perform in our two flagship ensembles: the Symphony Orchestra led by director Associate Professor Richard Davis and the Wind Symphony led by director Associate Professor Jackie Hartenberger.

University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor Associate Professor Richard Davis and featuring our very best student classical musicians, is the premier large performance ensemble at the University.

Learn more about the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

University of Melbourne Wind Symphony

The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony, directed by international conductor, Associate Professor Jackie Hartenberger features the most talented wind, brass and percussion students in the University.

Learn more about the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony

Music Performance courses

Instrument areas

Brass

Brass at the Conservatorium emphasises group learning and camaraderie with a dedication to hands-on training.
View details about Brass

Conducting

Our Conducting students learn a variety of techniques for mastery in their specialisation.
View details about Conducting

Early Music

We house a vast collection of early music resources and scores, and train our students in instrumental and vocal performance.
View details about Early Music

Guitar

Guitar at the Conservatorium is designed for students interested in the rich traditions of the guitar.
View details about Guitar

Harp

We invite you to embark on your harp journey with us, where your musical aspirations can flourish in a world-class learning environment.
View details about Harp

Jazz and Improvisation

Celebrate great Australian Jazz and improvised music performance in a unique studio-intensive approach that nurtures future music performers and directors through repertoire, improvisation skills and technical studies.
View details about Jazz and Improvisation

Keyboard

Our Keyboard program is one of the largest and most distinguished of any tertiary music program in Australia.
View details about Keyboard

New Music

The New Music Studio unites the disciplines of Composition and Performance for a broad range of contemporary music activities and events that are held each semester within the Faculty.
View details about New Music

Percussion

Graduating as a percussionist from the Conservatorium, you will be literate in the history and current practice of your craft.
View details about Percussion

Strings

The Conservatorium Strings program boasts a staff of the finest string players and teachers in Australia.
View details about Strings

Voice

Our students engage with leaders in vocal teaching and performance.
View details about Voice

Woodwind

We have a long history of excellence in Woodwind performance, including graduates who have achieved international success.
View details about Woodwind

I consider the faculty and individual tutors to be the most important people in developing my musicianship. The Conservatorium has some amazing staff on board who are very passionate about what they do. I decided to study at the Conservatorium due largely to the low brass teaching staff, particularly Timothy Buzbee.

Alexander Jeantou
Bachelor of Music, specialisation in Music Performance

Want to know more?

Get information on the courses you’re interested in, or ask our team a question.

Make an enquiry

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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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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, ...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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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...
  • Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
  • Composition
  • Music Performance
View article for New intercultural music composition captures the fragility and wonder of unique Melbourne grasslands

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....
  • Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
  • Music Performance
  • Partnerships
View article for New ‘ParaOrchestra’ for young musicians with disability seeks members for first 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....
  • Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
  • Prizes and Awards
View article for John Davis receives prestigious Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award

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