A report on collaborative music making at the university of Newcastle conservatorium of music

Collaborative Music Making at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music comprises a series of core courses. To reflect the many collaborations existing in the real world of music amongst players, composers, producers, managers or technicians these courses approach many group activities in music making as a collaborative process. The courses encourage performing musicians and those musicians more interested in creative, organisational or technical aspects of music making. The process towards learning collaborative skills requires an understanding of roles, which are not always fixed, an awareness of difference and diversity, dialogue, collective problem solving and a common purpose. This paper outlines the strategies implemented in the teaching of collaboration via ensemble performance, sound production and repertoire creation.