The Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Sydney Con) is a division of the University of Sydney, founded in 1915. It is one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious music schools, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in classical performance, jazz, composition, music education, musicology, and music therapy. The Conservatorium is located in a heritage building adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Opera House, and trains students through a combination of individual tuition, ensemble performance, and academic coursework.
One of Sydney Con's most commercially successful alumni is Iva Davies, frontman of the band Icehouse, who studied at the Conservatorium. Icehouse's 1987 single "Electric Blue" reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has over 18 million views on YouTube:
Programs and Curriculum
Sydney Con offers programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, and postgraduate research levels:
- Bachelor of Music: specializations in performance (classical and jazz), composition, musicology, and music education
- Bachelor of Music (Music Therapy): a specialized pathway combining music training with clinical practice
- Master of Music: performance, composition, musicology, and music education
- Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and PhD: research degrees for advanced performers and scholars
The curriculum combines one-on-one instrumental or vocal lessons with ensemble participation, music theory, history, and electives. Students perform in orchestras, jazz ensembles, chamber groups, and new music collectives. The Conservatorium also has a strong research culture, with faculty producing work in performance practice, musicology, and music technology.
A new campus, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Parramatta, is scheduled to open in 2027. It will focus on contemporary music technologies, including songwriting, digital production, screen composition, electronic music, music for games, and immersive sound. This will be the first facility of its kind in an Australian tertiary setting.
Campus and Facilities
The main campus occupies a historic Gothic Revival building designed by Francis Greenway, one of Australia's most significant colonial-era architects. The building sits at the edge of the Royal Botanic Garden, a short walk from the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay.
Facilities include:
- The Verbrugghen Hall, a 500-seat concert hall used for major performances
- Recital halls and performance spaces for chamber music and solo recitals
- Recording studios and music technology labs
- Practice rooms with pianos and specialized acoustic treatment
- A music library with extensive print and digital collections
The new Parramatta campus will be purpose-built for 21st-century music production, featuring digital studios, immersive sound facilities, and collaborative workspaces.
Admissions and Tuition
Admission to Sydney Con requires an audition. Applicants register through Acceptd, an online audition platform. Audition requirements vary by program and instrument, but generally include prepared pieces, technical work, and an interview.
For domestic students, undergraduate tuition is covered by the Australian government's HECS-HELP loan scheme for Commonwealth-supported places. International student tuition fees for 2026 entry in arts and social sciences range from approximately A$49,200 to A$56,300 per year, depending on the specific course. Postgraduate research fees are separate and may be lower for domestic students under Research Training Program (RTP) places.
Prospective students should check the University of Sydney music page for current audition dates, application deadlines, and specific program requirements.
Notable Alumni and Industry Connections
Sydney Con alumni hold positions in major Australian orchestras, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Australian Chamber Orchestra. Others work internationally as soloists, chamber musicians, composers for film and television, and music educators. The Conservatorium's proximity to the Sydney Opera House provides students with performance opportunities at one of the world's most recognized venues.
Notable alumni include:
- Richard Tognetti: Violinist and Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra since 1989. Tognetti studied at Sydney Con and has led the ACO to international acclaim, performing at venues including Carnegie Hall and the BBC Proms. Here is the ACO performing Beethoven's Grosse Fugue, Op. 133, directed by Tognetti at the Sydney Opera House, from the ACO's official YouTube channel:
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Iva Davies: Frontman and songwriter for Icehouse, one of Australia's most successful rock bands. Davies studied at the Sydney Conservatorium and formed Icehouse in 1977. The band's 1987 album Man of Colours spent 12 weeks at number 1 on the Australian charts and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.
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The Presets (Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes): Electronic music duo who both studied at Sydney Con. Their 2008 album Apocalypso won the ARIA Award for Best Dance Release and produced the hit single "My People," which reached number 1 on the ARIA Club Chart. Here is the official music video from The Presets' VEVO channel:
- Timmy Trumpet (Timothy Jude Smith): DJ and producer who studied at Sydney Con. His 2014 single "Freaks" with Savage has been streamed over 689 million times on Spotify and became a viral sensation. Here is the official music video from the TMRW Music channel:
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James Morrison: Multi-instrumentalist and jazz trumpeter who has performed for the President of the United States and at major jazz festivals worldwide. Morrison was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to jazz music.
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Simone Young: Conductor who has served as Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. She was the first woman to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein.
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Elena Kats-Chernin (graduated 1980): Composer known for her ballet Wild Swans, commissioned by the Australian Ballet and premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2003. She also contributed to the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2019.
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Deborah Cheetham Fraillon: Aboriginal Australian soprano, composer, and playwright who graduated from the NSW Conservatorium of Music. She was appointed the inaugural Elizabeth Todd Chair of Vocal Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2023 and leads Short Black Opera, a national First Nations opera company.
The current Dean is Professor Anna Reid, who leads the Conservatorium's strategic direction and maintains partnerships with industry organizations across Australia and internationally.
Why It Matters for Aspiring Musicians
Sydney Con is the top choice for Australian musicians who want a university-accredited music degree with access to world-class facilities and faculty. The combination of a prestigious university degree and intensive conservatoire training is rare in Australia, and the location near the Opera House gives students performance opportunities that few other schools can match.
Consider the cost. International fees are high, comparable to top US and UK conservatoires. Domestic students benefit from government loan schemes, making it far more affordable for Australian residents. The new Parramatta campus opening in 2027 will add contemporary music production to the curriculum, expanding options for students interested in digital and electronic music.
Students looking for funding should explore music scholarships that support study in Australia. You can also use our streaming royalty calculator to estimate how your future releases might earn revenue on streaming platforms.
For a broader view of music education options, browse our complete music schools directory or learn about performing rights organizations that collect royalties for Australian musicians through APRA AMCOS.
Related Schools
- Yong Siew Toh Conservatory - Another leading Asia-Pacific conservatory for comparison
- Australian Institute of Music - An Australian private music school alternative
- Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts - Another Asia-Pacific performing arts institution
- Royal College of Music London - A leading international conservatoire for comparison
- Tokyo University of the Arts - Another Asia-Pacific music institution
