Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music
The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music is proud of its reputation for providing a supportive, nurturing and friendly environment for exceptional students to work with award-winning staff.
We have a number of courses supported by our conservatorium. To see our Creative, Performing and Visual Arts page for more details.
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) accepts online auditions year round. The Conservatorium operates in Terms 1 and 2 of the university calendar only.
Applying for entry into one of Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) courses is a four step process.
- Complete and submit a program application to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). QTAC is the key body that offers student places into Queensland universities.
- Complete and submit the online application form to the Conservatorium. Ensure you complete all boxes marked with a red asterisk (*) so we can process your application.
- Attend a live audition, or submit a DVD or secured YouTube audition.
- When you attend your audition you will need to bring a copy of your current artistic resume. For those applying for music, music theatre and drama specialisations you will also need to supply a doctor's certificate.
A Doctor's Medical Certificate is required for the Music Theatre and Drama specialisations of the Bachelor of Theatre degree and needs to state whether you:
- are fit and healthy
- have no pre-existing conditions that may prevent you from doing any required medium to high aerobic dance and stage activities
- have no pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to sing or use your voice.
International students wanting to apply to CQCM must:
- check the English entry and academic requirements
- complete and submit an online application form to the Conservatorium. All other information can be provided once you pass the pre-screening.
- submit a DVD or a secured YouTube audition, written application and key documents by post to CQCM.
CQUniversity's Conservatorium of Music takes pride in its friendly atmosphere and helpful understanding staff. Our aim is to make the admission process as simple and straight forward as possible.
Most of the information we require in order to register you for an audition can be entered into the online application form. Pay careful attention to the boxes marked with a red asterisk (*), as your application cannot be processed without providing this important information. If you require assistance to complete the online application form please contact the Music and Theatre Administrator by email at musicandtheatre@cqu.edu.au or phone +61 7 0940 7801
In addition to completing an application to the Conservatorium, all applicants must also apply to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). QTAC governs the place offerings to programs at universities in Queensland.
After you complete your online application, if successful you will be contacted about presenting an audition or attending an interview.
If you are invited you will also need to bring the following documents and extra copies for the panel:
- headshot photo
- curriculum vitae
- relevant certificates, licenses or diplomas (e.g. AMEB Grade certificates, RAD Dance certificates)
- any evidence of community work or volunteer activities.
Ensure you place this information with copies in a folder for the audition panel to keep.
Please view our audition guidelines to assist with your preparation.
For each of the degree programs and their specialisations there are varying audition requirements. These can be found by clicking on the links below.
- Bachelor of Music - Contemporary Specialisation
- Bachelor of Music - Jazz and Popular Specialisation
- Bachelor of Music - Music Studies Specialisation
- Bachelor of Music - Performance Specialisation
- Bachelor of Theatre - Drama Specialisation
- Bachelor of Theatre - Musical Theatre Specialisation
- Bachelor of Theatre - Technical Theatre Specialisation
- Bachelor of Theatre - Theatre Studies Specialisation
- Diploma of Music
If you are unable to attend the advertise audition date in a city you can:
- audition by DVD or
- upload your audition to a secure YouTube channel.
To submit your audition by DVD or via a secured YouTube channel you must ensure:
- Your audition is filmed in an appropriate rehearsal or performance space so you get the best quality image and sound.
- You are fully visible in the camera frame and your hand (instrumentalists) and torso (singers) are clearly visible.
- You begin the audition by giving your name, age and state why you want to study at CQUniversity in Australia.
- If you upload your audition to a secure YouTube channel you must email the link and passwords to audition administrator. All audition materials must meet the same requirements as in-person auditions.
Auditions for 2016 are being held on the following dates.
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Brisbane, Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), QLD | Saturday, 12 November 2016 |
| CCQUniversity Mackay Ooralea, QLD | Tuesday, 25 October 2016 |
| Seymour Centre, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW | Saturday, 5 November 2016 |
We will accept late auditions, via DVD or online, until February each year and these should be made directly to Music and Theatre Administrator or call + 61 7 4940 7801.
Applicants are notified of their audition results within three weeks of their audition.
Is there a cost for doing the audition?
There are no costs associated with applying for or completing an audition at CQUniversity.
How long before the audition should I arrive?
You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time.
Will the panel hear all my work?
The panel may interrupt your performance. This is not an indication of an unsatisfactory assessment, but due to the management of the audition process.
What are the accompaniment requirements?
You are required to use your own accompanist and/or backing tracks.
What equipment should I bring to the audition?
You should bring the following (some of these may or may not be required depending upon what you present):
- instrument
- sheet music
- accompanist or backing track
- CD player or iPod dock (if required)
- amplifier (if required)
- written information and documents for the interview
What do I need to wear to the audition?
You should wear smart casual clothes.
When will I know the outcome of my audition and how do you correspond with me?
If you apply and audition within the set audition period you will receive an audition results with three weeks of your audition. Late applicants will receive results 1 to 2 weeks after their audition or submission of DVD/Tape.
Can I use a prop in my audition?
You should only use a prop if it's essential to the performance requirements of the monologue.
What if I can't make the audition date?
If you are unable to attend your scheduled audition you can:
- audition by DVD or
- upload your audition to a secure YouTube channel.
CQCM offers various specialisation programs that include:
- undergraduate programs in jazz and popular music, drama, musical theatre and technical theatre at CQUniversity's Mackay Ooralea campus
- distance education programs in music and theatre
- post-graduate programs that include Masters by Research and PhD study by application.
You will be encouraged to take your music and theatre skills to the highest levels through a range of performances that include a variety of different music ensembles and stage productions.
CQUniversity's CQCM continues to pursue excellence and innovation in its academic programs, research initiatives and community outreach, making it one of Australia's leading providers in arts education.
What CQCM offers students
While studying at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) we offer you the chance to learn with award-winning staff and industry professionals who will support and encourage you to extend your limits, broaden your outlook and seek out new possibilities in the pursuit of excellence.
You will be challenged to think and work like professionals while undergoing extensive training to ensure you reach your full potential.
Partner Institutions
CQUniversity's partnership with Southern Utah University allows students to complete a Study Abroad semester as part of their CQUniversity degree.
Southern Utah University hosts the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Neil Simon Theatre Festival within the city of Cedar City Utah, and has a full program of music theatre, drama and technical theatre study options, allowing students to broaden their horizons and experience world-class education and theatre experiences.
You can contact our international office or enquire online for more information about our Study abroad and exchange programs.
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) is committed to making our university more accessible to our community. Our degrees open the door to career opportunities in Australia and overseas, preparing your students with the skills and knowledge to ensure your students are work-ready when they graduate.
We run a number of activities to engage high school students that will help prepare them for a music or theatre degree at CQUniversity. These activities:
- are fun, engaging and educational programs
- allow students to meet and work with CQCM staff and current students
- prepare students with the skills and knowledge to ensure they are work-ready when they graduate
- open the door to career opportunities in Australia and overseas.
Four key initiatives lead by the CQCM include:
- Conservatorium Academy
- Schools Jazz Festival
- Safety Circus
- Choices Applied Theatre Project
The Conservatorium Academy is a centre for creative and performing arts training for school-age children in Central Queensland.
Conservatorium Academy aims
The aims of the Conservatorium Academy is to provide music and theatre training as an extension to the dance, drama and music classes that young people may already be engaged in and provides them with:
- oppportunities to perform through regular concerts and special events in Mackay
- a bridge for secondary school students to university
- help to prepare them for auditions and for the rigors of university study
- a safe, educational and recreational environment, with high-energy, fun classes that are taught in a friendly and encouraging environment.
How to enrol your child
To enrol your child contact the Conservatorium Academy or phone +61 7 4940 7800.
Semester fees
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music hosts the annual Schools' Jazz Festival and is supported by Yamaha Music Australia, Queensland Music Festival and Creative Capricorn.
The festival allows high school students to engage in two days of music and educational activities where they will be mentored by national and world class musicians, educators and staff to deliver a weekend full of musical performances.
The CQUniversity Schools' Jazz Festival includes:
- band workshops
- clinic for band directors
- an adjudicated performance for all participants
- a number of concerts.
Dates and locations for the Schools' Jazz Festival
The dates for 2015 dates for the Schools' Jazz Festival are:
| Date | Location | Special guest/s |
|---|---|---|
19 - 20 July 2015 | Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music | Dan Barnett - trombonist/vocalist |
26 - 27 July 2015 | North Rockhampton State High School | Dan Barnett - trombonist/vocalist |
Jazz Festival participants can look forward to:
- individual band clinics with world renowned musicians and educators
- concert performances
- band director professional development sessions
- adjudicated performances
- festival finale concert for all performers.
If you or your school band wants to register for this event please complete the nomination/registration form within the Jazz Festival handbook or contact CQCM for more information.
This project has received support from Creative Capricorn, a joint project of Rockhampton Regional Council, Arts Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts.
The Safety Circus Applied Theatre project is an award-winning project from CQCM in partnership with the Crime Prevention Unit of the Queensland Police Service. It is a 30-minute theatre show aimed at Year 3 students to teach them about personal safety, safety on non-motorised transport and dealing with bullying. Created by students and staff from CQCM, the Safety Circus tours to Mackay primary schools each year in February.
To find out more about the award-winning Choices project visit our Choices site.
Performances
The Conservatorium has an exciting, vibrant and diverse annual events calendar featuring some exceptionally talented performers, teachers and scholars.
Enabling us to showcase the skills and talents of our music, theatre and multimedia students and staff as well as visiting stars and touring performing artists, the Conservatorium hosts approximately 100 performances each year on CQUniversity's campuses. These performances range from full musical theatre productions to drama productions and plays, children's theatre, jazz performances, recitals, concerts, art and media exhibitions, seminars and community events.
Supported by the Conservatorium Friends, our events program makes an important contribution to the local community and provides a professional platform for students to perform in public while they are preparing for a career in the performing arts. It also provides opportunities for staff and visiting artists to perform to supportive and appreciative audiences.
Purchase tickets
To attend any of our performances you can book through our online system. A booking fee may apply if you book directly through our office.
For information about CQCM performances contact our CQCM office or phone: +61 7 4940 7800.
Sold out performances
If a show has a 'Sold Out' sign, phone +61 7 4940 7800 as tickets may still be available or transferred over for sale at the door.
JUDITH, STUART & FRIENDS
Wednesdays – 6pm
15 March
03 May
13 September
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Free entry - no bookings
These entertaining concerts feature performances from staff and students of the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, as well as community members on various musical themes. Everyone is invited to attend!
FRIDAY JAZZ @ THE CON
24 March - Tommy See-Poy (piano & voice)
12 May – Kerry Armstrong (voice)
21 July – Andrew Robertson (saxophone & flute)
Doors open at 6 – 7:30pm.
CQCM Foyer, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Adults $10, Students $5
Back by popular demand, Friday Night Jazz will feature the Bachelor of Music staff & students. Refreshments will be available for purchase from the Friends of the Conservatorium.
Tickets can be purchased from the CQCM website
A FLUTING ROMANCE
Sunday 23 April – 3pm
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
An afternoon of classical music with Simone Maurer (flute) & Judith Brown (piano)
Tickets can be purchased from the CQCM website
5TH FLOOR JAMS
Fridays - 7pm
28 April
4 August
08 September
CQUni City Campus, Sydney Street, Mackay
Free entry, no bookings – Seating Limited
Featuring CQCM staff, students & guests.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Thursday 6 April – 7:30pm
Friday 7 April – 10:30am & 7:30pm
Saturday 8 April – 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 8 April – 2pm
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Adults $40, Concession $35, Friends of the Con $30, Student/Children $25, Family $115 (2 adults & 2 children)
Based on the unbelievable true story of one of the most famous con artist in history, Frank Abagnale Jr., Catch Me If You Can is a rousing musical set in the 1960s. We begin as Frank is captured by Agent Carl Hanratty, after years of pursuit. Frank, however, thinks the audience deserves to hear his version of the truth, and narrates his life as a hip, dance-heavy variety television show. We see Frank, as a teenager, run away from his unhappy home to live a life of great adventure, conning people by assuming a multitude of identities: airplane pilot, doctor and lawyer to name a few. A fast, rollicking musical by the creative team behind Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can tells the tale of an ingenious yet lonely boy looking for his place in the world.
Directed by Liam McIlwain
Tickets can be purchased from the CQCM website
HITSVILLE
Motown Magic
featuring Dan Barnett
Friday 2 June - 7.30 pm
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Adults $35, Con Friends $28, Students/Children $22
Featuring the jazz and popular music students from the Bachelor of Music program performing hits from – Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Supremes, The Temptations, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and more….
Tickets can be purchased from the CQCM website
MID-YEAR MUSIC THEATRE AND DRAMA SHOWCASE
Friday 09 June – 7pm
Saturday 10 June – 7pm
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Free entry, no bookings
WARNING – COARSE LANGUAGE & ADULT THEMES
ACTING ON SHOW
Wednesday 14 June – 7pm
Friday 16 June – 7pm
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Free entry, no bookings
WARNING – COARSE LANGUAGE & ADULT THEMES
THE MIKADO
Thursday 10 August – 7:30pm
Friday 11 August – 10:30am & 7:30pm
Saturday 12 August – 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 13 August – 2pm
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Adults $40, Concession $35, Friends of the Con $30, Student/Children $25, Family $115 (2 adults & 2 children)
The Mikado, written by Gilbert and Sullivan, is a classic of musical comedy and has entertained audiences around the world for decades. This hilarious show pokes fun at politicians and institutions under the guise of the exotic locale of Japan. This show is suitable for all ages and is directed by one of Australia’s finest music theatre directors, Peter Cousens.
Tickets can be purchased from the CQCM website
THE CONSERVATORIUM ACADEMY CONCERT
Sunday 10 September - 1pm and 4pm
(This is the same performance for both timeslots)
CQCM Theatre, Boundary Road, Ooralea
Adults $15, Con Friends $10, Students/Children $5
End of year concert by The Conservatorium Academy students. The Conservatorium Academy is a centre for creative and performing arts training for school-aged children and is part of the School of Education and the Arts at CQUniversity.
Tickets can be purchased from the CQCM website
In 1989 the Queensland Conservatorium of Music established a regional campus in Mackay to deliver tertiary music courses and support the vibrant performing arts community already well-established in Central Queensland. Providing a focal point for professional performance training in classical music, jazz, popular music, drama and music theatre, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) was incorporated into CQUniversity in 1996.
In 2001, CQCM moved to a purpose-built facility at CQUniveristy's Mackay Ooralea campus cementing our commitment to being a major performing arts training centre attracting students from all states of Australia and overseas.
Since then, the Conservatorium has established industry partnerships with many of Australia's most experienced professional performers, theatre directors and agents, as well as links with international artists, producers, directors and performing arts organisations contributing to its current national and international status
Follow the links below to find out more:
Contact Details
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Boundary Road, Ooralea
Postal Address:
PO Box 636, Mackay Qld 4740
Phone: +61 7 4940 7800
Fax: +61 7 4940 7820
Email: musicandtheatre@cqu.edu.au
Auditions
Email: musicandtheatre@cqu.edu.au
Con Academy - Mackay
Email: academy@cqu.edu.au
Hire of the Conservatorium Theatre, Mackay
Email: cqcmhire@cqu.edu.au
Hire of Musicians/Performers - Mackay
For Jazz, Pop & Rock Bands please email music@cqu.edu.au or phone +61 7 4940 7800.
Latest CQCM News
It might be 16 years since Leisa Persson graduated from a Bachelor of Music Theatre but she still finds herself digging out her old CQUni lecture notes for tips and tricks.
Heads will roll; and – in the upcoming production of The Mik-a-d-o – they’ll also float!
