Image: courtesy University of Sydney
With just over six months until the 2015 academic year commences at University of Sydney, students looking at the arts and creative industries are invited to explore the wealth of programs on offer during Open Day on Saturday 30 August.
The colloquial theatre term “triple-threat” holds extra relevance for the University this year, with Sydney College of the Arts (SCA), the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (the Con) and the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning offering a trifecta of exciting new programs in 2015.
Division Head of Recruitment Steven Burns, said Open Day is one of the biggest events of the year and is a great opportunity for students to come on campus, talk directly to academic staff about our degree offerings and receive advice about what they could go into as a career.
‘It’s really high-end creativity, critical thinking and access to the best academic staff that underscores the strength of our three faculties and gives us a leading edge over other programs around the country.
‘The University has brought together the three faculties into a Division of Architecture and Creative Arts, which has created a vibrant creative industries-focused community at the University,’ he said.
While this year’s Open Day is anticipated to attract about 26,000 people to the main Camperdown campus, some 700 people will visit both SCA and the Con.
At the Con in Sydney’s CBD, a comprehensive program of activities kicks off at 10am with master classes and performances across all the disciplines taught at the music school, including piano, composition, strings, woodwind and brass.
Marking the Centenary of the Con next year is the launch of a new contemporary music program for the first time in its history. ‘The Con is renowned for classical and jazz studies but as of 2015, turntablists, singer-songwriters, and electric music players can hone their craft in the Bachelor of Music Studies (Contemporary Music).’
Prior to Open Day, students can download movements from Mozart and Palestrina, practice the music at home and come to Open day and perform them in an orchestra. ‘The guru of woodwind conducting, Dr John Lynch, is going to rehearse with the orchestra on the day and they will actually get to do a performance at the Con.’
Equally, across the Conservatorium there will be several concerts and performances by current students including the Apacallians, Sax Quartet and a Jazz big band.
At SCA, Studio Speed Dating at the University’s Rozelle campus will allow students to experience 20-minute sessions across every studio discipline including painting, jewellery, sculpture and print media. ’Contemporary Art incorporates a range of disciplines and this event provides students the opportunity to experience all the studios that SCA offers, rather than being pigeon holed into one specialisation.’ said Burns.
Filmmakers can speak to academic staff at SCA about the new postgraduate course, the Master of Moving Image. ‘This is a very exciting degree where students will cover traditional aspects of film production, explore new directions in the cinematic arts, and delve into new technologies in interactivity, three-dimensional imaging and virtual delivery’ said Burns.
At the Faculty of Architecture Design and Planning in Darlington, students interested in architecture will be able to experience 3D printing and just about anything with the Makerbot printer on site. ‘In 2015 we introduce The Bachelor of Architecture and Environment where, like the Bachelor of Design Architecture, design is central. In addition, students will gain a broad understanding of urban planning and policy, architectural science and the IT systems, which underlay contemporary design and modelling.’ said Burns.
Burns adds that a common thread across the three faculties is the intimate mentor-based teaching style, complemented by some of the best industry leaders delivering each of the programs. ‘The experience that you get from studying in our faculties is very different from the general university experience.
‘At the Con, for example, the Principal Viola, Roger Benedict, and Principal Double Bass Kees Boersma from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra teach our string program. So students are learning their craft first hand, mentored by highly-experienced professional orchestral musicians.’ he said.
‘In Architecture they have state-of-the-art digital fabrication and robotics facilities; the Conservatorium has acoustically perfect concert halls; and SCA is such a spacious campus located in the beautiful Callan Park. Every student, pretty much, gets their own studio space to own during their degree so they don’t have to pack down after each class.
‘Open Day is a great chance for students to get a ‘sense’ of the campus and ask any burning questions of our academic and student administration staff. My hope is that the day gives students a really good snapshot of the incredible opportunities available to them during their studies at the University.’
The University of Sydney Open Day will be held on Saturday 30 August, with a program of activities featuring at the Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning.
Visit the University of Sydney Open Day website for further information.
