Professional development and short courses
- We offer a range of professional development courses.
- Find out more
Griffith Online
- Our online degrees are delivered 100% online, giving you control over where and when you study.
- Study 100% online
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Learn with acclaimed jazz musicians at Queensland Conservatorium
Do you live and breathe jazz? If you enjoy playing, listening and composing jazz, consider majoring in this complex and creative musical form.
As an aspiring jazz musician you'll develop your technique, skills and experience, ready for a professional career in the music industry. Our program provides an education that's grounded in the jazz tradition, while looking to the musical future.
Studying at Queensland Conservatorium you'll learn and perform with acclaimed jazz musicians in some of the southern hemisphere's best performance spaces. Many of Australia's top jazz exponents started here, including Katie Noonan, Kate Miller-Heidke, Megan Washington, Isaac Hurren and Jacam Manricks.
Key dates
You can talk to us about your study options just about anytime.
See our key dates page for information on upcoming events.
Study jazz at Griffith
Master voice teacher helps create world class singers
Become more fluent in this complex form
Learn from the best
Careers in the music world are so highly competitive that you'll need all the knowledge, support and connections you can get. We aim to help you achieve both artistic individuality and a high level of musical literacy.
You'll benefit from the expert teaching, training and support of our dedicated jazz lecturers. They're nationally established musicians with international connections to the New York, Boston, London, Toronto, Tokyo and Montreal music scenes, where they often tour. Several are also experienced in other genres, such as north and south Indian, country, classical music, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban.
You'll have the freedom to specialise in voice, piano, guitar, drums, bass, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, vibes, flute, violin or clarinet. You'll take your place in the Conservatorium's premier ensemble, The Con Artists, or do regular gigs at leading Brisbane venues. In jazz music performance, there's an inherent link between improvisation and composition. You'll be supported in achieving a high level of performance excellence.
You'll learn to be versatile, as you acquire a technical foundation on your individual instrument that allows you to speak the language of jazz freely. You'll develop a respect for other musical styles that encourages you to develop as a creative, innovative musician into the future.
Mirusia Louwerse
Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice)
Mirusia Louwerse is an Australian-Dutch soprano who gained worldwide fame as a soloist with Andre Rieu—the man responsible for turning classical and waltz music into a hugely successful worldwide concert touring act. She studied opera at Queensland Conservatorium and at the age of 21 was announced as the youngest winner ever of the prestigious Dame Joan Sutherland Opera Award. She says her time at Queensland Conservatorium was marked by a feeling that it was finally a place where she fitted in, where she 'made lifelong friends and contacts in the music industry'. 'My dream always was to tour the world, and I am fortunate to say I have followed and lived that dream so far! I am really proud of my achievements in my career, but I am also still learning every day and there is still so much I want to do.'
Study options
| Degrees | Campus | OP rank |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Music | South Bank | |
| Bachelor of Music (Honours) | South Bank | |
| Bachelor of Music in Performance | South Bank | |
| Graduate Certificate in Music Studies | South Bank | |
| Master of Music Studies | South Bank |
It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.
Career outcomes
Graduate with the skills to compose your career
The career roadmap for our graduates often includes performing before a variety of audiences in numerous types of venues
As a professional, you'll be able to use the wide-ranging analytical, technical, creative and conceptual skills acquired in your degree to great advantage. Alongside our star alumni, you'll find your place on the world stage working in areas that include:
- Freelance professional musician
- Member of jazz groups
- Teacher at primary, secondary or tertiary level or in a private studio
- Film industry scoring soundtracks
- Session musician
- Composer and arranger
- Arts administrator
Life at Griffith
You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.
June 21, 2018
Sounds great as Griffith hosts International Ecoacoustics Congress
Read more about Sounds great as Griffith hosts International Ecoacoustics Congress
Key dates
Monday 5 February — Friday 21 December
Ongoing Q&A sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover admission pathways to university. Find out more
Saturday 21 July — Sunday 22 July
TSXPO (Tertiary Studies Expo)
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Tertiary Studies Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Tuesday 24 July
Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Sunshine Coast Daily Careers and Employment Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Monday 6 August
Townsville Careers Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Townsville Careers Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Sunday 12 August
OPEN DAY - Nathan, Gold Coast and South Bank campuses
Discover what's possible at Griffith at Open Day. Visit our Gold Coast, Nathan or South Bank campus to attend information sessions and activities, chat with academics about your preferred degree, find out about services and support, and tour our campuses. Find out more
Monday 17 September — Friday 28 September
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover admission pathways to university. Find out more
Tuesday 13 November
Mature Student Open Evening - South Bank campus
If you’re considering returning to university for postgraduate study, or starting for the first time, come along to a Griffith University Mature Student Open Evening to speak to our specialist advisers about admission pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Thursday 15 November
Mature Student Open Evening - Gold Coast campus
If you’re considering returning to university for postgraduate study, or starting for the first time, come along to a Griffith University Mature Student Open Evening to speak to our specialist advisers about admission pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Saturday 15 December — Thursday 20 December
Explore Your Options - Online
Chat online with our expert study advisers after you have received your entry score, to discuss your study options. Find out about admission pathways, entry requirements and program options, plus what you can do if your OP or ATAR score was higher or lower than expected.
*Excluding Sunday 16 December Find out more