It’s all about the music
THE International College of Music ( ICOM), Asia’s leading college of contemporary music, celebrates 20 years of music education excellence. Since 1996, ICOM continues to be in the forefront of innovation in music education at certificate, diploma and undergraduate degree levels.
What sets ICOM apart from other institutions is the single- minded institutional focus on providing an iconic music education in Asia. This is backed by the incomparable proven track record for producing successful music graduates, who are listed in the “Who’s Who” list in the music industry across Asia, from recording artistes and audio engineers to music directors and music business owners.
Operating under the “by musicians for musicians” principle, the homegrown curriculum meets the highest international standards for the teaching and learning of contemporary music.
Every programme centres on music, be it music performance, composition and arranging, music production and technology or music business. From ear training, harmony and song writing to live sound engineering, digital rights management and scoring for video games, all lesson plans are developed and taught by renowned professional music practitioners and educationists.
This varied yet exclusive music fraternity is doggedly dedicated to both sharing knowledge with the next generation of musicians, as well as shaping the future of the workforce in the professional music industry.
Teaching and learning methods at ICOM probe on the whys and hows to promote independent critical thinking to steer student musicians towards problem solving and innovation.
Agitated discussions on the production styles of Max Martin versus The Smeezingtons or compositional similarities between a Bach Invention and a Billy Joel song or even yet the principles of law that failed to support Thicke and William’s Blurred Lines copyright legal suit are some of the more tamer conversations heard in the hallowed hallways of ICOM.
A day in the life of an ICOM student revolves around hours of individual practice on a principal instrument, writing songs, recording music, organising or performing a gig, rigging a sound stage, or hanging out at the infamous ‘ Jaafar’s’ stall outside the college.
Whether working independently or in a group, the musical works generated by the engagement of musicians from over 15 countries is eclectic, experimental and new, yet highly commercial.
As proof is always in the pudding, a must- visit to the staple weekly ICOM Friday Performance student concert at 5pm will readily convince an accountant to give up his profession for music.
The legendary 20- year institutional partnership between ICOM and the world famous Berklee College of Music in Boston ( MA, US) is yet another strength that sets ICOM apart from the others.
The exclusive articulation agreement between these institutional giants enables students to transfer credits from ICOM’s oneyear Foundation in Music program to any of Berklee’s 12 different undergraduate degree programmes, resulting in a whopping tuition savings over 60%. In addition to credit transfer, the annual Berklee visit to ICOM every June also paves the way to securing significant tuition scholarships.
In addition to full- time on campus programmes, ICOM launched Asia’s first online music school – ICOM ONLINE – which is a fully online learning platform offering a range of short courses across performance, music theory, music technology and music business.
ICOM ONLINE is a savvy option for busy working adults, school music students or working professional musicians to enrol for a music course anytime, anywhere and study at their own pace.
This revolutionary way of learning is not only transforming the way music is taught and learned at ICOM but positions ICOM at the forefront of innovative learning methodologies.
Interested applicants may contact the admissions office at 03- 4023 6000 or admissions@ icom. edu. my to register for any of the programmes. An ICOM student is one who is musically talented, articulate, driven and serious about making music a career. If these characteristics describe you, ICOM wants to discover you.