7 August 2006

One of Vietnam’s top musical training centres has joined UQ’s musical performance program.

Students from the Hanoi National Conservatory of Music (HNC) will do their first year of the Master of Philosophy in Music (Performance) in Hanoi before finishing the degree in the second year at UQ.

HNC’s Rector Professor Tran Thu Ha and Deputy Rector Professor Ngo Van Thanh have toured UQ to discuss details of the joint agreement, inspect UQ music facilities and take part in master classes with UQ musicians.

UQ School of Music Head Professor Philip Bracanin said five HNC students would be chosen from a field of 12 students in October.

“They are expected to commence their studies at UQ in February 2008,” Professor Bracanin said.

“The agreement between the two institutions is for five years.

“It is envisaged that this venture will lead to possible further collaborations in other areas such as composition, music therapy, musicology and music education.”

The music agreement is the first performing arts program funded by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training's major education scholarship program.

HNC, built in 1956, is Vietnam’s first and biggest centre for professional musical training.

MEDIA: Professor Bracanin (07 3365 3513) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (3365 2619)