Stage Two courses

This list of courses includes those restricted to BMus specialisations and those open for enrolment to any University of Auckland undergraduate student. Please review the 'Programme Restriction' and 'Prerequisite' sections for details on who can enrol and how you can gain access to the course.

From 2026, MUS 299A/B has replaced MUS 290A/B, 292A/B, 293A/B, 297A/B and 298. 

MUS 203 - Classical Theory and Musicianship 1

• Course prescription: Continuation of work begun in MUS 104 on music theory, aural skills and musicianship. Includes a choral component.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 104
• Points: 15

MUS 204 - Classical Theory and Musicianship 2

• Course prescription: Continuation of work in MUS 203 on music theory, aural skills and musicianship. Includes a choral component.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 203
• Points: 15

MUS 205 - Classical Theory and Musicianship 3

• Course prescription: Continuation of work in MUS 204 on music theory, aural skills and musicianship. Includes a choral component.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 204
• Points: 15

MUS 206 - Conducting 1

• Course prescription: The study of conducting including listening to and writing about a wide variety of music from all historical periods. The practical component of this course concentrates on posture, patterns and gesture. Studies include examples from choral and orchestral repertoire.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 106
• Points: 15

MUS 207 - Conducting 2

• Course prescription: An introduction to rehearsal planning and management, baton technique, the development of conducting gesture, and advanced score preparation. Repertoire includes classical symphonies, a cappella repertoire and a selection of choral/orchestral works.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 206
• Points: 15

MUS 210 - Composition Studio 3

• Course prescription: Applied concepts and techniques in instrumental/vocal composition and sonic arts. Students will develop original creative ideas through experimentation with both notational and sound-based approaches to composing, the study of relevant repertoire and the realisation of a portfolio of works for mixed resources that may include solo instruments, voices, small ensembles, found objects/sounds, loudspeakers and visual media. Liaison with performers both within and outside the class is important.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 110, 111
• Restriction: MUS 258
• Points: 15

MUS 211 - Composition Studio 4

• Course prescription: Continuation of work undertaken in MUS 210.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 210
• Points: 15

MUS 214 - Instrumentation

• Course prescription: The study of instrumentation including ranges, characteristics and technical aspects of writing, scoring and arranging for strings, wind, brass and percussion will be introduced together with a study of repertoire.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Points: 15

MUS 220 - Performance Studio 3

• Course prescription: Further performance work involving weekly individual lessons and performance classes. See course outline and instrumental/vocal syllabus for specific curriculum requirements.
• Semester availability: Semester One and Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 121
• Points: 15

Instrument workshops:

• W01C - Voice
• W02C - Piano
• W03C - String
• W04C - Brass and Wind

MUS 221 - Performance Studio 4

• Course prescription: Continuation of work undertaken in MUS 220. See course outline and instrumental/vocal syllabus for specific curriculum requirements.
• Semester availability: Semester One and Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 220
• Points: 15

Instrument workshops:

• W01C - Voice
• W02C - Piano
• W03C - String
• W04C - Brass and Wind

MUS 224 - Interpreting Music Performance

• Course prescription: Academic study of the resources, instruments, techniques, scholarship, and stylistic conventions relevant to the performance of historical musical repertoires. Students consider the role that an awareness of historical factors can play in contemporary performance, and gain understanding of some of the key debates surrounding historically informed performance.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 125 or 143
• Points: 15

MUS 225 - Music in Society 

•  Course prescription: The study of music and text in society using a wide-angled lens to explore how it can be intertwined with issues of politics, gender, religion, race, psychology and class. Examples will include music and text in diverse genres and from various places. 
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 125 or MUS 143 or 30 points from European Studies, German, Italian, Spanish, or Transnational Cultures and Creative Practice 
• Restriction: MUS 243 
• Points: 15

MUS 230 - Music Production Studio 3

• Course prescription: A study of the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required to engage in music production through everyday technologies. An emphasis on production in the home/project studio environment, and for developing producers and songwriters. Topics include: microphone types, patterns and configurations; simple vocal and instrumental recording; synthesis; production techniques and mixing using modern DAWs.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 119 or 130
• Restriction: MUS 219
• Points: 15

MUS 231 - Music Production Studio 4

• Course prescription: A study of industry-standard studio recording and production techniques supported by practical studio-based exercises. Topics may include: multi-channel recording and editing, band and ensemble recording, analogue and digital production, synthesis, mixing and mastering.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 230
• Restriction: MUS 219
• Points: 15

MUS 247 - Genre and Convention in Instrumental Music

• Course prescription: Explores the complexities of musical style, aesthetics and reception as related to one or more instrumental genres (such as the symphony, the string-quartet or piano prelude) and related conventions.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 125 or 143 or 145
• Restriction: MUS 347
• Points: 15

MUS 248 - Music on Stage and Screen

• Course prescription: Considers the role of music in one or more of the dramatic arts – opera, musical, ballet, modern dance, film – in any given historical period. Offers opportunity to study specific repertoire in some detail, as well as to investigate music’s contribution to dramatic spectacle, characterisation, narrative and non-narrative structures.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 125 or 143 or 145
• Restriction: MUS 242, 348
• Points: 15

MUS 258 - Composing with Computers

• Course prescription: An introduction to the study and use of computers to compose and generate music. Topics include: algorithmic composition, sound design, algorithmic music, artificial intelligence for music creation, live coding.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisites: 30 points at Stage One in Music
• Restriction: MUS 210
• Points: 15

MUS 262 - Music Psychology and Development

• Course prescription: An initial exploration of music psychology research including music therapy research, neuroscience, neuropsychology and music psychology. Examines the development of musical skills through life with an emphasis on community and pedagogical applications.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: 30 points passed in Music
• Points: 15

MUS 270 - Jazz Performance 3

• Course prescription: The development of instrumental technique and improvisational skills though in-depth study of scales, rhythm, harmony and relevant musical analysis. This course prepares students who major in Jazz Performance and includes 1:1 tuition and group based improvisation classes.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 171
• Points: 15

MUS 271 - Jazz Performance 4

• Course prescription: Continuation of the work undertaken in MUS 270.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 270
• Points: 15

MUS 274 - Jazz Theory and Musicianship

• Course prescription: An exploration of more advanced jazz theory and musicianship skills including aural and harmony. Coursework prepares students for the implementation of fundamental written theoretical skills. This course also includes a keyboard tutorial.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 104
• Points: 15

MUS 275 - Jazz Composition and Arranging 1

• Course prescription: Composition and arranging in the jazz idiom exploring small ensemble and big band contexts. Scoring, voicing concepts and sectional writing that assist students in the development of a portfolio of work.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 274
• Points: 15

MUS 276 - Jazz History

• Course prescription: A critical examination of musical styles, performers, cultural and industrial contexts surrounding jazz musics from the mid-nineteenth century, including ragtime, through New Orleans, swing, be-bop, cool, free, third-stream and post-bop. An in-depth study of primary exponents of various styles.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: 30 points passed in MUS courses
• Restriction: MUS 126, 176
• Points: 15

MUS 277 - Jazz Project 2

• Course prescription: Participation and development of pertinent skills towards the completion of a collaborative jazz music project.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: Department approval
• Points: 15

MUS 280 - Songcraft Studio 3

• Course prescription: Specific exploration and the continued development of ideas and processes in the creation and presentation of popular music through workshops, seminars and group discussion. Students will write songs, complete arrangement exercises, use music recording and production techniques and present aspects of their coursework in live performance.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 104, 181
• Points: 15

MUS 281 - Songcraft Studio 4

• Course prescription: Continuation of work undertaken in MUS 280.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisite: MUS 280 and MUS 284
• Points: 15

MUS 282 - Popular Music Vocal Performance

• Course prescription: The development of vocal technique and interpretative skills through the in-depth study of vocal production techniques pertinent to contemporary popular music vocal performance. The emphasis is on the development of practices to enhance the performance of original songs written by the students.
• Semester availability: Semester One and Two. Students to enrol as allocated by Popular Music Academic staff.
• Prerequisite: MUS 183 or 196A/B
• Points: 15

MUS 283 - Popular Music Performance 2

• Course prescription: Continuation of the work undertaken in MUS 196. This course prepares students who specialise in Popular Music with 1:1 instrumental tuition and group-based classes. The emphasis is on the development of techniques and skills to enhance the performance of original songs written by the students.
• Semester availability: Semester One and Two. Students to enrol as allocated by Popular Music Academic staff.
• Prerequisite: MUS 183 or 196
• Points: 15

MUS 284 - Songcraft and Production Theory and Musicianship 1

• Course prescription: Explores the vocabulary and techniques of 20th and 21st-century songcraft through practical interaction with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Students will study a wide range of theoretical concepts directly within a DAW environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding song structure, harmony, melody and rhythm, as well as exploring how production techniques apply to modern music theory.
• Semester availability: Semester One
• Prerequisite: MUS 181
• Points: 15

MUS 287 - Songcraft and Production Theory and Musicianship 2

• Course prescription: Continuation of work undertaken in MUS 284. Further explores the vocabulary and techniques of 20th and 21st-century songcraft.
• Semester availability: Semester Two
• Prerequisites: MUS 284
• Points: 15

MUS 299A/B - Musicking 2

• Course prescription: The further development of musical performance and collaboration skills through ensemble work and guided exploration of techniques and musical knowledge systems.
• Semester availability: Semester One commencement only
• Restriction: MUS 290, 292-298
• Points: 15 total (students must enrol in MUS 299A (7.5pts) and MUS 299B (7.5pts) as this is a double-semester course)

Information on enrolling and changing courses is available at Change enrolment