Short Courses - Conservatorium Open Academy

Sound Recording in the Home Studio

For students with a basic foundation in sound recording, this course explores and expands practical skills and knowledge to further develop production techniques and workflow. Areas that will be covered include: Week 1: Recording studio principles – from bedroom to commercial studio. Week 2: Interconnection – making your studio work in both the analog and digital domains. Week 3: Setting up to record – the Digital Audio Workstation, monitoring and the recording space. Week 4:... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Classical Song - Audition

This course is designed for singers who wish to develop more confident solo performance. It would be particularly suitable for students currently studying music for their HSC and adults preparing for performance, exam or audition. Returning Classical Song students who have previously passed the audition will be sent an enrolment link once classes are available for enrolment. Audition requirements Auditions are scheduled about two weeks prior to the start of the course All... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Music Fundamentals Level 4 ONLINE

Unpack the language of music in this series of courses. This course continues the development of practical and theoretical skills achieved in Levels 1, 2 and 3. Harmonic analysis of jazz and contemporary music as well as the use of modes and other scales in composition and improvisation. Further exploration of rhythmic feels in compound and odd metres as well as concepts such as syncopation and swing feel. Historical perspectives in jazz and art music will be included for... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Related Products

Music Fundamentals Workbook

Sydney Con Jazz Festival

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Held over one day the Sydney Con Jazz Festival is a boutique jazz festival presented in conjunction with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the Open Academy at the Con and Sydney Improvised Music Association. Sydney Con Jazz Festival 2026 line-up of artists is drawn from the cream of Australian jazz plus some of the best international musicians currently staying in Australia. The festival is designed to be affordable, accessible and show case the best of Jazz... [More]

Making Music in Ableton Live

This short course is primarily aimed at newcomers to Ableton Live and is designed to get you up to speed and making music in Live as quickly as possible, building your skills, knowledge and ability to create music in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation – In this case Ableton Live) over the 8 weeks. During the course, music making and production techniques that are applicable to a variety of genres/styles will be covered, allowing students to focus on their preferred genre(s) and begin... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Blues Guitar

Blues Guitar will look into the Blues Form and discuss the cadence, primary chords, associated scales, tensions and stress points of the harmony and melody. This course will look at variations to the basic progression and discuss the various sub genres such as Delta, Chicago, Texas Blues and more. The course will also present and analyse transcribed solos and look into the sounds and effects created by a few notable Blues guitarist players. In addition, a presentation of more... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Jazz Guitar

Jazz Piano: First Steps Level 3

In Jazz Piano First Steps Level 3, students continue their study of Jazz Standards from the Great American Songbook and Jazz Masters. Students expand on their knowledge and skills gained in Level 2 in arranging tunes with a variety of approaches including for solo piano, piano accompaniment for a singer or instrumentalist, and also ensemble playing. Iconic forms such as Rhythm Changes and Minor Blues are explored as well as definitive standards such as Body and Soul, Stella by... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Vocalizzo! Essential daily vocal drills

Vocalizzo! a Workshop in Essential Daily Vocal Drills This online session will benefit students with a particular interest in the singing voice – choristers wanting a set of daily drills that will assist in improving tone and creating stamina for long choral rehearsals; solo singers wanting a set of essential drills they can use as a ‘gig bag’ set of pre-performance exercises and warm-ups. The Course will target warm-up regime breath control tone support diction clarity vowel work... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Talkin' Jazz: Great Standards

Talkin Jazz: Great Standards Join drummer/bandleader/educator Andrew Dickeson in a fascinating journey into the great Jazz Standards. The online session will focus on a small number of the most popular standards and, through listening and discussion, students will get a view into the remarkably different interpretations & opportunities these tunes provide for creative playing and expression. Suitable for players of all levels and curious listeners as well. [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.

Chord Progressions Decrypted

This workshop is designed to assist both instrumentalists and vocalists understand and master the common chord progressions that they encounter every day. Using several real-world examples from various popular genres, students will gain valuable insights into song structures that will accelerate their repertoire-learning skills and provide new options for improvisation and composition. If you’ve ever wondered “how did they come up with that?”, then this workshop is for you. If you... [More]

This course has no current classes. Please the waiting list.