Master of Fine Arts

180 POINTS (12-MONTH PROGRAMME)

Advance your career in orchestral performance with Te Herenga Waka— Victoria University of Wellington’s new Orchestral Studies stream of the Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice), offered in collaboration with Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. This unique industry-focused, practical degree includes a performance internship with the NZSO.

Open to outstanding students who have completed an undergraduate degree in Performance on an orchestral instrument, the Orchestral Studies stream of the MFA(CP) offers training in orchestral performance at the highest levels in New Zealand. As well as regular lessons in orchestral and solo repertoire, you’ll complete a performance-based internship with the NZSO and receive regular mentoring from its players. In addition, you’ll lead a substantial public performance project, which might include collaborations with your artistic peers in Performance, Composition, Film and Theatre. The new Orchestral Studies stream will be taught in Wellington, home to our national arts institutions and filmmaking industry. As well as weekly instrumental lessons, you’ll also take a course focusing on orchestral excerpts and audition skills. In addition, all MFA(CP) students come together in courses on creativity and arts management, ensuring that you graduate as a critical thinker as well as an arts leader.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Two full-fees scholarships worth $15,000 each— the Deane Orchestral Studies Scholarships—will be offered to help support New Zealand students applying for the Orchestral Studies programme. These scholarships should be applied for separately by 01 November, and you will need to have completed your application for the MFA(CP) by the same date.

START DATE & DURATION

The Orchestral Studies stream runs through the Music/ Sound major of the MFA(CP). It starts in Trimester 1 (February) each year and is completed in 12 months (three trimesters of full-time study).