Postgraduate Performance –
Further develop and refine your vocal or instrumental performance skills to a professional level with postgraduate study.
Take your creative performance abilities to new heights and become an accomplished musician at the foremost music school in the country—the New Zealand School of Music.
At postgraduate level you can study Performance in several styles of music including classical, jazz and non-western styles, and choose to focus on solo, ensemble or orchestral performance.
Learn from the best
Polish your skills under the close and expert attention of some of New Zealand's most acclaimed teachers and performers. You'll learn from practising professional artists who have had international solo and ensemble careers, including members of the Rodger Fox Big Band, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), Te Kōkī Trio and the New Zealand String Quartet.
Make use of staff contacts in the music world—you might get the chance to audition for the NZSO or Orchestra Wellington, or to be involved with many other classical and jazz events for which Wellington is famous.
Available qualifications
Globally ranked
This programme is ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
In-depth study
While your focus will be on perfecting your performance skills, depending on your degree you may also do coursework and research. Master's students will complete a thesis made up of a significant performance or series of performances, and a written critical analysis of the works. If you're completing the Artist's Diploma you'll work towards giving solo public recitals with pre-concert talks. Doctoral students will undertake research alongside their performance studies.
I had amazing opportunities at university, which included attending a saxophone summer school in France, and performing as a soloist with the university orchestra.
Full storyReuben Chin, MMA in classical saxophone performance
Music teacher and Air Force band member
Performance opportunities
You can join a wide range of student ensembles across diverse musical areas. Play in the School's orchestra, a big band, a chamber group or a jazz combo. Or you might take a role in the School's fully staged opera that's produced every second year.
Research topics
You'll be part of a research environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. Take a look at some of the performance research interests of staff at NZSM.
Postgraduate research students at NZSM will get their own workspace in the School.
Careers
You might go on to have a rewarding career as a solo artist or as part of an orchestra, chamber ensemble, jazz band or popular music group. Some graduates have created portfolio careers that combine professional music roles with other work. You might also find a career in a related area such as teaching or arts administration.
Alumni of NZSM have gone on to work with groups ranging from the NZSO, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and New Zealand Opera, to acclaimed New Zealand popular music bands such as Drax Project, Pacific Heights, Tunes of I and the Richter City Rebels.
Read more about NZSM Performance alumni.
Community
Postgraduate study at Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and players in the professional music world.
Take the opportunity to collaborate on performance projects with your fellow music students and with students in other disciplines such as Film and Theatre.
You'll be invited to attend events, seminars, workshops and social functions. You'll also take part in the informal Postgraduate Music Forum each week, where students discuss each other's research and share and develop new ideas about music.
The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information on study at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.
Live and study in our vibrant and creative capital. Home to New Zealand's national orchestra and many other professional music groups, you'll have opportunities to learn from and mix with some of our best musicians and composers.
Scholarships
There is a large number of scholarships, prizes and awards available to Music students at all levels. Find out about Music scholarships offered or promoted by the School.
You can also look on the University database for scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.