Albany audition applications open for first regional WAAPA music course

Aspiring musicians will be able to continue their education in the Great Southern from next year as the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts is to introduce a one-year Diploma of Music in Albany.

Expert staff travel to Albany weekly to run the course designed to help students progress to a Bachelor of Music entry level before having to make a move to Perth to further their studies.

A nationally recognised qualification, it will focus on the performance outcomes as students develop strong practical skills on their chosen instrument or voice.

WAAPA’s Associate Dean of Music Dr Jamie Oehlers said he was looking forward to the program “helping to develop the depth of talent in the region”.

“Transitioning from high school to WAAPA’s Bachelor of Music course involves relocating to Perth and coping with university life, which can be a big adjustment for regional students,” he said.

“We see this diploma program as a logical step towards realising dreams in the music industry and getting to know the WAAPA staff without having to leave home.”

WAAPA’s contemporary music department has been engaging with Great Southern talent for a decade through its Radio Active program.

This annual intensive week of music training brings together local high school music students with WAAPA staff and students in a program that culminates in a one-off concert.

Dr Oehlers said the Albany music course would be the first run by WAAPA in a regional location.

“It is the incredible relationship that WAAPA has with the local community that has enabled this,” he said.

“There’s nowhere else we’d rather start.”

Auditions will be held in Albany on November 19, with applications set to close on October 28.