Australian Institute of Music
Encyclopedia
The Australian Institute of Music (AIM in short) is a private not-for-profit institution originally founded in 1968 by Dr Peter Calvo, and then known as the Sydney Guitar School . AIM is known as a Sydney based Music School
and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in Contemporary Performance, Classical Performance, Audio Engineering
, Composition & Music Production, Musical theatre
, Theatre Performance and Acting
, and Entertainment Management
.
AIM students individually tailor their studies to integrate performance skills, business management, marketing, individual instrument or voice lessons, audio & sound engineering, music production and other specialised units. Students in the Bachelor of Entertainment at AIM, and students in the Bachelor of Performance at the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art are the only AIM students who are required to undertake industry placements as part of their courses.
The purpose of this education is for students to develop the confidence and skills needed to pursue a successful career in the music industry, performing arts & wider entertainment fields.
as a Higher Education Provider.
There is a central student lounge area with Cafe, dedicated Performing Arts Library and multi-level classrooms across four buildings with 101 teaching spaces.
. By combining traditional NSW HSC subjects together with either music performance or audio electives, students at AIM High obtain their senior secondary HSC educational qualification with a music focus.
Extensive boarding facilities are also available for students.
In 1969 Dr Peter Calvo started a business called the Sydney Spanish Guitar Centre, which was incorporated in 1987 as a proprietary company limited by shares. In 1989 it changed its name to the Australian Institute of Guitar Limited. Its constitution was amended so that it became a public company limited by shares and by guarantee. In 1991 it changed its name to The Australian Institute of Music (AIM) and was registered as a public company limited by shares. In 1996 AIM became an organisation eligible for tax deductibility of donations and listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth).
In 1989 AIM was accredited by the New South Wales Department of Education as a provider of tertiary courses providing a three‐year Diploma in Music. In 1995 it became accredited by the Department of Education for a four‐year Degree of Bachelor of Music.
In 2005 AIM was registered as a Higher Education Provider.
In 2006 AIM incorporated the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art (in short AADA) into its business entity. In 2007-2008, with the support of members of the theatre and education communities across Australia, AADA developed and submitted the Bachelor of Performance degree for accreditation to the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). In 2009, AADA welcomed its first intake of Bachelor of Performance candidates.
In 2010 AIM was accredited by the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) to provide the Bachelor of Entertainment Management.
In 2009 AIM integrated its Q Studio recording facilities from Goulborn St Darlinghurst into its main campus at Foveaux St Surry Hills.
In 2011, AIM expanded its teaching facilities to include classrooms and accompanying staff areas at 72 Mary St, Surry Hills NSW.
Showcase Events - Each Year in May, AIM stages its major annual Showcase event, featuring the talents of students across many of its departments, such as 50 Years of Motown opening May 2009 and A Day In The Life opening May 2010.
Music school
The term music school refers to an educational institution specialized in the study, training and research of music.Different terms refer to this concept such as school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department or conservatory.Music instruction can be provided...
and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in Contemporary Performance, Classical Performance, Audio Engineering
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, Composition & Music Production, Musical theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
, Theatre Performance and Acting
Acting
Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play....
, and Entertainment Management
Entertainment Management
Entertainment management is a relatively new business management discipline that is increasingly being taught as a Bachelors of Art degree. Entertainment management courses aim to provide graduates with appropriate knowledge and skills to progress into management careers within the entertainment...
.
AIM students individually tailor their studies to integrate performance skills, business management, marketing, individual instrument or voice lessons, audio & sound engineering, music production and other specialised units. Students in the Bachelor of Entertainment at AIM, and students in the Bachelor of Performance at the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art are the only AIM students who are required to undertake industry placements as part of their courses.
The purpose of this education is for students to develop the confidence and skills needed to pursue a successful career in the music industry, performing arts & wider entertainment fields.
Location
AIM is located in Sydney Australia and is approved by the Australian GovernmentGovernment of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
as a Higher Education Provider.
Facilities
Studio facilities include the industry standard fully equipped 'QStudios’ and sound labs where students have the opportunity to compose, record and mix their work. AIM also has ‘John Painter Hall’ (300 seat auditorium) where students perform their skills to live audiences on a professionally equipped stage, and the Pilgrim Theatre at 262 Pitt St, Sydney where many of AIM’s theatre performances take place.There is a central student lounge area with Cafe, dedicated Performing Arts Library and multi-level classrooms across four buildings with 101 teaching spaces.
Music High School
In addition, senior secondary facilities host AIM High, a music High SchoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. By combining traditional NSW HSC subjects together with either music performance or audio electives, students at AIM High obtain their senior secondary HSC educational qualification with a music focus.
Extensive boarding facilities are also available for students.
History
The Australian Institute of Management Sciences (AIMS) was initiated in 2003 as a Division of the Australian Institute of Music (AIM). The program was headed by Professor Greg Whateley who was also Director of The Calvo Institute (TCI). AIMS managed an undergraduate programme – Bachelor of Music (Arts Management) - and a suite of post graduate offerings – a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management, a Graduate Diploma of Arts Management and a Master of Arts Management. AIMS developed a number of links throughout Australia and Asia. At the end of 2004 the Australian Institute of Music was in part sold and the new management group decided to close both the Calvo Institute and AIMS. All Arts Management programs were embedded in the AIM superstructure as a Department (Department of Arts Management) under the direction of Professor Paul Saintilan. In 2008 a partnership was formed between AIM and the Sydney Opera House (SOH) to run a joint initiative – Master of Arts Management – on site at the SOH. The program currently is managed by both Professor Paul Saintilan (now based in Geneva) and Consulting Professor Greg Whateley. The program enjoys a degree of celebrity in its current form. The Master of Arts Management was first accredited in 1996 and remains an important and valued post graduate offering of the Australian Institute of Music now under the Executive Deanship of Professor Ian BofingerIn 1969 Dr Peter Calvo started a business called the Sydney Spanish Guitar Centre, which was incorporated in 1987 as a proprietary company limited by shares. In 1989 it changed its name to the Australian Institute of Guitar Limited. Its constitution was amended so that it became a public company limited by shares and by guarantee. In 1991 it changed its name to The Australian Institute of Music (AIM) and was registered as a public company limited by shares. In 1996 AIM became an organisation eligible for tax deductibility of donations and listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations maintained under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth).
In 1989 AIM was accredited by the New South Wales Department of Education as a provider of tertiary courses providing a three‐year Diploma in Music. In 1995 it became accredited by the Department of Education for a four‐year Degree of Bachelor of Music.
In 2005 AIM was registered as a Higher Education Provider.
In 2006 AIM incorporated the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art (in short AADA) into its business entity. In 2007-2008, with the support of members of the theatre and education communities across Australia, AADA developed and submitted the Bachelor of Performance degree for accreditation to the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). In 2009, AADA welcomed its first intake of Bachelor of Performance candidates.
In 2010 AIM was accredited by the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) to provide the Bachelor of Entertainment Management.
In 2009 AIM integrated its Q Studio recording facilities from Goulborn St Darlinghurst into its main campus at Foveaux St Surry Hills.
In 2011, AIM expanded its teaching facilities to include classrooms and accompanying staff areas at 72 Mary St, Surry Hills NSW.
Productions and performances
- Tommy The MusicalTommy (film)Tommy is a 1975 British musical film based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album musical Tommy. It was directed by Ken Russell and featured a star-studded cast, including the band members themselves...
- opened September 2007 - Promises,Promises - opened 3 September 2008
- Dusty – The Original Pop Diva - opened 3 September 2009
- YARN The Musical - opened 3 September 2010
Showcase Events - Each Year in May, AIM stages its major annual Showcase event, featuring the talents of students across many of its departments, such as 50 Years of Motown opening May 2009 and A Day In The Life opening May 2010.
Notable lecturers
Head of School: Dr Ian Bofinger- Glen Phimister: International music engineer.
- Greg Simmons: writer, educator and sound engineer with over 24 years of professional audio teaching experience. Founded the Audio Technology magazine.
- Jamie Rigg: Musical Director of Strictly Dancing and Carols In The Domain. Has 30 years experience as a musician, producer, and director.
- Jennifer Murphy: Starred in the title role in the Australian premiere production of Evita and worked as Artistic Director on many of the performance events during the 2008 Papal visit including the arrival at Barrangaroo.
- Eric Chapus: Multi award winning artist ‘Endorphin’.
- Daniel Belle: Australian Idol finalist.
- Warren ThomsonWarren ThomsonWarren Milton Thomson OAM is an Australian pianist, music editor, music educator and piano competition juror. He is best known in Australia as Artistic Director and Chairman of the jury of the Sydney International Piano Competition since its inception in 1977. He auditions all the entrants,...
: Australian pianist, music editor, music educator and piano competition juror. - Larissa BurakLarissa BurakLarissa Burak — is a Ukrainian-Australian bandurist and mezzo-soprano singer, concert musician, soloist, and choir conductor who lives in Sydney, Australia...
: Ukrainian-Australian bandurist and mezzo-soprano singer, concert musician, soloist, and choir conductor.
Notable alumni
- Toby Francis: Winner ‘8th Annual Cabaret Showcase’ in Sydney.
- Elisa Colla: Lead role in 2010/2011 musical Wicked (musical)Wicked (musical)Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
in Sydney. - Jessica Lingotti: Lead role in international touring stage show Burn The Floor.
- Tamara JaberTamara JaberTamara Jaber , is an Australian pop singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a member of pop group, Scandal'us. She is also a former member of pop duo Scarlett Belle.- Early life :...
: Won a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Music for years 11 and 12, completing a Diploma for Music, at the same time also completing her HSC. - Casey DonovanCasey Donovan (singer)-Australian Idol :Donovan transferred to the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney's Surry Hills in 2004 and it was in this year that her stepfather encouraged her to audition for the second season of Australian Idol...
: Winner of Australian Idol Season 2). - Chris SorbelloChris SorbelloChris Sorbello is an Australian singer, songwriter and dancer. She is currently signed to the Ministry of Sound label in Australia and released her debut single, "So Lonely" on 9 April 2010 to Top 40 success. Sorbello's second single, "Dangerzone", is set to be released in October...
: An Australian singer, songwriter and dancer currently signed to the Ministry of Sound label in Australia - Bianca MoonBianca MoonBianca Moon is the lead singer of the roots rock band "Liz Taylor". She is also a songwriter, actress and activist.Moon trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Australian Theatre for Young People and Screenwise and has a Bachelor of Music from the Australian Institute of Music...
: The lead singer of the Australian Country Rock band The UnCommitted. - Chris Brooks (guitarist)Chris Brooks (guitarist)Chris Brooks is an Australian rock, metal and fusion guitarist most noted for his debut instrumental album The Master Plan and his subsequent work with members of Yngwie Malmsteen, Black Sabbath, Lana Lane, and fellow Australians LORD.-Early life:...
: Australian rock, metal and fusion guitarist most noted for his debut instrumental album "The Master Plan". - Erin Mortimer: A performer in the 2005 touring production of Grease -The Arena Spectacular. Also sang the national anthem at the 2006 Australia-Great Britain Rugby League Test in Sydney, and the State of Origin (game one) match held at ANZ Stadium in May 2008.
- Tiffani WoodTiffani WoodTiffany "Tiffani" Jane Wood , briefly known as Tiffani Cummins, is an Australian singer-songwriter, who is a former member of female pop group Bardot. Wood later established an independent solo career, and released her debut solo album Bite Your Tongue in 2006.-Early life:Wood was born on 8...
: An Australian singer-songwriter and former member of female pop group Bardot. - Evgeny UkhanovEvgeny UkhanovEvgeny Ukhanov is a Ukrainian-Australian pianist. He became an Australian citizen in 2004.He commenced learning the piano at age seven and gave his first concert performance in Russia at age nine. He was a major prize winner in the International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Senigallia,...
: is a Ukrainian-Australian pianist and winner of 3rd prize in the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2000. - Balawan: Innovative musician and educator .
- Geoff Harvey: Honorary Master of Music, Australian Institute of Music was the Music Director of Channel 9 for 38 years.