The Certificate IV in Music (CUS40109) and Diploma of Music (CUS50109) courses offer training in Music Performance, and aim to provide students with a wide range of knowledge and skills. They are suitable for musicians wishing to integrate their musical study and experience into an advanced-level performance qualification recognised nationally by the music industry, or for students who plan to continue music study at tertiary level. The Certificate IV course provides an intermediate step between Grade 7/8 and advanced study e.g. Diploma of Music or tertiary degrees in music.

These courses offer a broadening experience for students and provide training in practical skills and background knowledge related to the music industry. It extends their knowledge of the music industry including its commercial aspects, copyright and OH&S issues. There are a number of employment opportunities resulting from this field of study, and graduates can look forward to careers in the music industry, in roles that include performing, recording or multimedia music production.

More specifically these courses aim to give students the opportunity to achieve the following outcomes:

• Music performance and presentation before live audiences
• Progress to higher level tertiary studies in music and employment opportunities in the music industry

Course outcomes apply to both paid and voluntary employment options.

Each course is fully competency-based, and while knowledge and some aspects of competency are assessed within the realms of each subject, demonstration of competency in all areas is necessary for successful completion.

The Certificate IV course is normally completed in one year of full-time study.

Fees include individual lessons of 1 hour each, over 40 weeks in your major area of study together with a minimum of 2 ensemble classes of 1 hour each, and musicianship class of 1 hour. Other occasional classes, e.g. Develop and maintain stagecraft skills, Implement copyright  arrangements, are conducted at  mutually agreed times. Fees also include regular scheduled meetings with a Course Coordinator.

Extra fees apply in the following cases:
• where additional individual lessons are required in minor or elective instrumental / vocal studies, and in masterclasses with visiting artists • where additional studies above course requirements are undertaken • learning materials • instrument hire or maintenance fees • studio fees ( studio recording subjects )

Note: The Central Coast Conservatorium reserves the right to alter fees at any time (generally at the start of each academic year).

Minimum requirements for course entry are:

• A completed Application Form & payment of the application fee
• A demonstrated interest/involvement in music
• Competence in at least one instrument or voice (assessed at pre-entry audition)
• A successful interview with the Director or representative
• For Certificate IV in Music – Normally Grade 6/7 instrumental, or Grade 5/6 vocal, or equivalent
• For Diploma of Music - Certificate IV in Music or equivalent.
• Basic computing skills including the ability to use a word processing application at an elementary level
• To be at least 15 years old and have completed year 9, for both courses

The course entails an average of 27-35 hours of study per week comprising class contact, private practice, rehearsals and specified course-work.

The Central Coast Conservatorium adopts adult-learning principles. Students enrolled in Certificate IV or Diploma courses are treated as adult learners, and are therefore expected to take control of their own learning process. It is expected that each enrolled student will be committed to meeting the requirements of the relevant course and will attend all relevant classes and activities necessary for completion of all work, prior to assessment.

The Central Coast Conservatorium uses a wide variety of training methods. Training may be provided through:

• Individual one to one lessons incl. presentations and demonstrations
• Interactive discussions
• Group / ensembles participation
• Masterclasses
• Concert practices
• Individual projects
• Research into literature and other resources
• Audio / visual presentations
• Attendance at artistic performances
• Role-plays and simulations
• Relevant vocational placements

It is expected that all students will have access to a computer with internet facilities. This is mandatory for successful course completion.

To attain the Certificate IV in Music students must complete 14 units; 3 core units plus 11 specialist and elective units listed below

Note: Two elective units must be selected from the specialist and elective units listed below. The remaining two elective units may be selected from the specialist and elective units listed below or may include any unit of competency packaged at Certificate IV level from any endorsed Training Package. No more than three specialist or elective units previously achieved as part of another qualification may be counted towards the qualification. Electives must be relevant to the work outcome, local industry requirements and the qualification level.

Click Here to download Table of Units of Competency

These courses allow a flexible and effective means of monitoring student progress for both the student and the tutor. The system of assessment provides many opportunities for performance and experience in workplace training.

Assessment will take into account:

• Attendance and participation
• Process diary completion as applicable
• Practical work
• Completion of rehearsal schedules
• Written assignments, exercises, tutorial presentations, tests

Competency-based assessment criteria apply to grading. The final Academic Transcript will show the following results for each subject.

C Competent NYC Not Yet Competent

Students will graduate after successfully completing all the following requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of all relevant academic requirements
• Payment of all outstanding fees owing to Central Coast Conservatorium
• Return of all Central Coast Conservatorium’s resources
• Satisfactory level of conduct maintained during period of enrolment at the Central Coast Conservatorium
• Completion of all curricular and non-curricular requirements including community participation

These courses comply with the Music Industry Training Package which is competency-based. Students who graduate will be issued with a statement of competencies achieved to qualify for the award for Certificate IV or Diploma. Students completing only part of the award will be issued with a Statement of Attainment listing those units successfully completed.

Individual nationally recognised competencies linked to subjects in these courses are listed below:

Click here to download Table of Units of Competency

Australia has a system of national standardization of training for many industry areas including Music. This system is implemented through the use of training packages and individual units of competency. All competencies studied in each of these courses are nationally recognised from the Music Training Package.

Diploma of Music Advanced Diploma of Music Bachelor of Music

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) takes into account the knowledge and skills already gained through previous education and work. This may be through formal or informal training, paid or unpaid work experience, and can earn students credit if relevant to these courses.

Students may apply for RPL as follows:

• Complete an RPL Request Form and pay the request fee
• Attend a preliminary interview to receive the appropriate “Evidence” forms and an RPL processing quote
• Accept and pay the quoted RPL processing fee
• Provide adequate supporting documentation such as Certificates, Diplomas, copies of Statement of Attainments, copies of relevant assignments etc.

It is the student's responsibility to outline the individual learning outcomes or skills they have acquired for comparison with the prescribed assessment criteria of the relevant subjects.

Qualifications or units of competency achieved at other Registered Training Organisations will be automatically recognised at no cost to the students.

Students who withdraw within the first six weeks after the enrolment date for Certificate IV or Diploma will be charged on a pro-rata basis. Students withdrawing after this period are not entitled to have course fees refunded. In exceptional circumstances and on compassionate grounds, where a students applies in writing for a refund of fees paid, the Director and Business Manager may choose to refund course fees. The Central Coast Conservatorium (CCC) will refund moneys paid for courses, other than the non-refundable deposit for course placement, wherever it is found that:

1. Central Coast Conservatorium has not fulfilled its obligations to offer courses as specified in course outlines. * In some cases courses are specified to run only where there are sufficient numbers. This will be outlined in course brochures and other advertising material.
2. Central Coast Conservatorium cannot fulfill its stated obligations with regard to a course it is running, or if a unit or class is discontinued for whatever reason.
3. Central Coast Conservatorium will make every effort to complete all academic programmes in any given academic year. If Central Coast Conservatorium cannot, for any reason complete a study programme, students will be advised of alternative courses which will recognise completed Units under the National Training Framework. Where a student does not commence a course, they may apply in writing for a refund of fees paid, other than for the non-refundable deposit. Fees will be refunded within 4 weeks of the written application being received by Central Coast Conservatorium. Central Coast Conservatorium will supply documentation of fees paid and refunds given, specifying how the refund amount was calculated.

Click here to download Course Requirements