A college for budding musicians
iCOM is a college “by musicians, for musicians”, says its chief executive officer and president Irene Savaree. “Because of this, our primary advantage is that we are a onestop centre for everything music.”
The college’s second advantage is music networking, where students get to interact and engage directly with faculty and music industry professionals.
“Most of our students are absorbed into the job market prior to graduation. The industry comes to ICOM to look for employees and since the music industry is a network-based industry, this is a great advantage,” she adds.
Music technology plays a big part in teaching and learning at ICOM. Students receive an industry-level technology suite for download on to their computers when they enrol. The technology acts as a tool to make the lessons and practice sessions become vibrant, and to enable students to make music anywhere and at anytime instead of being limited to college facilities.
“These days, we find an increasing number of parents encouraging and supporting their teenage children to get a degree in music at ICOM. The large majority of the graduates from our bachelor’s degree programmes have told us that their parents were instrumental in them choosing to make music their major.
“The Government has also established three arts colleges in Kuching, Johor and Kuala Lumpur, which speaks volumes about the public’s perception of a career in the music industry,” says Savaree.
“The Malaysian music industry is large, and though it is segmented by language, the job market is dynamic; there are more than enough jobs to be filled.
“But the current problem in Malaysia is the lack of qualifications and know-how.
“With globalisation and Internet technology, there is an open market for industrious and talented musicians to make successful careers. The opportunities are out there waiting.”
This is where ICOM comes in – providing knowledge and instruction and producing knowledge workers for each niche in the industry.
According to Savaree, a large majority of ICOM graduates have taken up the market share in independent start-up music enterprises.
To enter ICOM’s programmes, students are required to have the minimum requirements of five SPM credits for degrees, three SPM credits for diplomas, and one SPM credit for certificate-level courses.
There is also an audition – students applying for degree programmes must demonstrate their performance skills on a principal instrument in playing scales and arpeggios, impro- vising on a 12-bar blues piece and performing in a range of style idioms.
The ability to read music notation is not a prerequisite, as students can learn during their course.
Music is an art form and it takes much time, dedication and patience to hone this craft. It is a powerful tool that can affect people in diverse ways.
A student who makes the choice to get into this industry should understand and respect this, and strive to produce the best quality possible. Together with ICOM, they can create and nurture a livelihood. ICOM programmes include: > Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Professional Music (3+0) > Foundation in Music > Diploma in Business (Music Industry) > Certificate in Audio Production > Pre Foundation in Music The July 2014 intake is now open. To apply online, log on to
ICOM is also having its “Feel the Buzz” where students can register for free to sample select courses at ICOM on March 27 and 28. This is a great opportunity for students to feel the buzz before deciding to enrol.
ICOM’s Open Day will be held on March 29 from 10am onwards. Students who wish to audition can register online or call the college to set their appointments for audition.
Audition for admissions are conducted free of charge to encourage students to demonstrate their musical skills.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 03-4023 6000, e-mail admissions@icom.edu.my or log on to