Research at SCM
The excellence of research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music was recognised in the recent ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia), where we received one of the best results nationally. Independent reviewers graded our profile as being within the (4) 'above world standard' category, out of a possible 5. Only two higher education institutions scored higher, and the average grade was 3. Meanwhile, we submitted 971 SCM items (books, DVDs, compositions, first performances, etc.) for assessment, plus another 258 items from researchers in 15 other academic units across the University of Sydney, this against a total of 6,166 from across Australia, which means that our research comprises 1/5 of that undertaken and assessed nationally.
As this confirms, we have a vibrant and diverse community of staff and students, many of whom enjoy exceptional careers worldwide as performers and composers, and as scholars in such fields as acoustics, sound production, music history, music education, musicology and ethnomusicology. The Conservatorium is a place where research is pushing the boundaries of innovation, creativity, cognition and expression.
The faculty offers the opportunity to pursue research degrees at either Masters, PhD or Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) levels in the following areas of Composition, Music Education, Musicology and Performance.
Current Projects
- Centre of Research Excellence in Performance & Creativity
The Sydney Conservatorium is fortunate to have so many brilliant performers and researchers as students and on staff. It is seeking to establish a Centre of Research Excellence specialising in integrating The Con's two areas of excellence, performance and research, by bringing together and backing musicologists to set new standards in the academic study of music. Read more...