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Couch Fest ’24

This year’s Couch Fest was the biggest yet with over 1000 people in attendance. We were delighted to have the Backyard Jam area upgraded in time for Couch Fest. We spent over $120,000 installing a new roof, paving the area with bricks and installing new retaining walls in preparation for our annual Visual and Performing Arts Festival.

On the night the Backyard Jam stage looked magical with all new gel lighting and fairy lights which provided a great venue for the many student performances. We also had students performing in the auditorium and in the Recital Room which was suitably decked out as a Halloween themed venue.

The corridors were filled with Art Immersion students selling the wonderful products they developed over the year as part of their Creative Enterprise subject with some students selling out completely. Students sold almost $10,000 of art – a record – beating last year’s record of $6,000.

The VCE VM students ran a clothing swap, bookstore and cafe which again provided a great selection of toasties, sweets and coffees. We also had a new activity this year with Harrison Building and organising a high bar which people could pay to see how long they could hold on to it for. Congratulations to Alex, the Music staff, the Art Immersion staff and all the students and staff helping to make this such a wonderful event.

NCAT VCE VM Couchfest Visual Performing Arts

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INLLEN Creative Industries Industry Event

In August, NCAT and the creative arts students and staff were excited and proud to host an Creative Arts Industry event which was the culmination of three years work. The Pathways to Creative Industries Project, with Inner Northern LLEN was funded by the Northern Metropolitan Partnership. The idea of the project was to unpack what would help young people who are entering the creative industry sector for the first time.

Over the past 3 years, NCAT Creative Arts students have been participating in the Pathways to Creative Industries Project, a partnership between the Inner Northern LLEN and NCAT, funded by the Northern Metropolitan Partnership.

Students enrolled in Visual Arts & Design, Photography and Music courses actively participated in both the design and the implementation of their exploration of how transition from school to work operates in the Creative Industries.

Students investigated employment and enterprise opportunities in their field by connecting with creative practitioners to explore how employment functions and the kinds of support that help people move into the industry. They asked over 50 industry professionals in online interviews about their pathways to work.

At the event NCAT students from Year 12 Art Immersion, Year 12 Music and Certificate IV in Visual Arts students presented their findings from the online interviews. Industry panellists from the Visual and Performing Arts Industries spoke about how they started out in their field, as well as invaluable insights into possible pathways into the creative industries.

Additional industry speakers spoke answered industry specific questions in breakout rooms relevant to the four areas.

Nathan Lambert, Labor state MP representing Preston and Reservoir, opened the event with an inspiring speech on the importance of the arts to the local community.

It was a valuable opportunity for students and teachers alike to meet and talk with working creatives who were so generous with their time, advice and support of younger students wanting to enter the industry.

A big thank you to each of the industry professionals listed below who generously donated their time to the project, as well as the 250 students from local schools who joined us on the day.

Screen & Media
Mark Bonanno
Cassie Walker
Jay Wingate
Deb Herman

Music
James Lloyd-Wyatt
Grace Robinson
Cameron Muncey

Photography
Jess Apap
Taree Mackenzie
Caitlin O’Grady

Visual Arts & Design
Rosie Turner
Richard Morden
Nour Abdullatif
Frances Cannon

INLLEN Pathways to creative industries NCAT Visual Performing Arts

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Music (Performance)

The music industry and production trade is in high demand nationwide. Recent years have seen a growth in industry demand for sound engineers, producers, mixers and Foley artists skilled in digital technology. Beyond the music industry, employment is also possible across film, television, gaming and digital device sectors.

The course strongly focuses on providing students with a broad skill set that will enable them a wide range of employment opportunities within the music industry. The College consults with industry and government reference groups to ensure our curriculum remains consistent with emerging trends. Purpose built facilities demonstrate sustainable practices, furnished with a fully equipped recording studio, digital audio workstations and multi media labs.

Students are able to record using some of the finest equipment that you would normally only find in professional recording studios. This includes:

Music recital room with a Kawai grand piano.

Ten music rehearsal rooms.

Two computer labs, each equipped with twenty-five music workstations comprising Arturia keyboards, Arrow audio interfaces, Apple iMacs with Pro Tools, Ableton Live and other audio & music programs installed.

Two purpose built dance studios with sprung floors.

Purpose built Theatre Studies room with sprung floor and theatre lighting.

Music (Performance) enables you to:

Perform in various ensembles across multiple genres.

Work collaboratively and re-interpret popular music.

Plan, prepare and promote gigs as a part of a group.

Expand on your musical language and critically listen.

The College consults with industry and government reference groups to ensure our curriculum remains consistent with emerging trends. Purpose-built facilities demonstrate sustainable practices, furnished with a fully equipped recording studio, digital audio workstations and multimedia labs.

TestimonialsPeter Myers (Head of Department, Music)

“The equipment we've got is industry standard. We've got a recording studio that is as good as any commercial recording studio that you would find.”

TestimonialsMonique Hirschfeld (Music Student)

“I love how music connects you to an audience and how it makes people feel.”

TestimonialsZac Lister (Sound Production Teacher)

“The most important part of having industry standard gear is when the real world, they know what it is. They see it they’re not daunted.”

TestimonialsMonique Hirschfeld (Music Student)

“They know that this is not just a thing you want to do, it's a passion.”

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Learn how to edit and record using computerised digital equipment and systems. Set up, record and mix music in an industry standard recording studio. Install and program lighting systems. Plan, prepare and promote a gig as an organizer and performer for the launch of a compilation CD of original compositions. Get fully trained by performing professionals, who have worked with many of Australia’s music legends.

TestimonialsRebecca Barnard

“At the end of the year I take the students on the road with me - as my band. We played at venues along the Great Ocean Road – including Apollo Bay, Lorne and Aries Inlet. The gig in Lorne just went off – and the students got a taste of how it feels to be wanted and have their music appreciated. The repertoire which includes originals by the students, some of my songs, and covers.”

TestimonialsRebecca Barnard

“It’s a very practical course and gives students the opportunity to be paid as working musicians. These guys are also learning to be adaptable over a range of genres and songs. We’ll be playing songs from contemporary Australian bands too.”

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Course

Level(s)

Qualification(s)

Music (Performance)

Tertiary

Qualification(s):

CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music (Music Performance)

Course Structure

The Certificate IV in Music Industry (Performance) includes studies in instrumental and vocal performance techniques, rehearsal techniques, improvisation, songwriting, composition, arranging, music transcription, harmony, making a demo recording and sound editing. The course is designed to produce well-rounded, knowledgeable, industry-ready musicians and culminates in a professional performance tour of the Victorian Surf Coast region in October of each year. Student have access to the college’s state-of-the art auditorium, recording studios, rehearsal rooms, sound editing software and music facility.

You can read more about our Online Service Standards, relating to the Online and Remote Delivery of Training and Assessment.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Activities & Tasks

Performance students develop multiple performance programs, perform in a variety of styles for multiple purposes, perform and record covers and original songs, give group and solo performances, contribute to back-up accompaniments, develop a folio of original songs and instrumental compositions, improvise in multiple contexts, develop performance skills on primary and secondary instruments, develop studio recording and aural perception skills; and they acquire a working knowledge of music theory and harmony.

Students also acquire knowledge and skills designed to assist them in developing careers by researching music and related careers, studying music marketing concepts, developing a business identity, producing business plans and developing an online presence for the dissemination of their work; and they develop a presentation folio for self-promotion to prospective employers, agencies and tertiary institutions.

Students develop skills in: 
Songwriting , Arranging , Performing , Stagecraft, Recording , Producing , Vocal techniques , Rehearsal techniques and more, all under the guidance of Rebecca Barnard.

Of the 12 units in Certificate IV in Music at NCAT, Rebecca Barnard teaches four of the units including Stagecraft, Songwriting, Performance - and her remarkable unit called ‘Backing Beck’ is perhaps the most important, because the students get first-hand experience of being in a successful band.

Assessment

Most assessment tasks are project based and culminate in the production of folios of work. Students participate in a number of public performances and a performance tour; and they produce a folio of compositions, musical transcriptions, performance reviews and demo recordings. The assessment of students’ overall competence will be undertaken by qualified assessors. Students’ competence will be judged using a set of nationally determined criteria. The assessment process will be fair and will include the option of re-sits.

Eligibility & Prerequisites

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must have completed a VCE, VCAL Senior or Year 12 equivalent. A Certificate III in Music Industry would be an advantage. Entry into this course is by audition and interview. Applicants are asked to prepare two contrasting works for audition. The use of backing tracks in auditions is encouraged. Mature age applicants welcome.

Demos can be submitted by providing a link to NCAT via email ncat@eductation.vic.gov.au or at the allocated audition date. 

Fees

You can read more about our Fees