Fergus Scott of Emu Park has just finished his degree at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) in Mackay and over the last 3 years has had plenty of exposure to life as a professional musician.

"I've played so many gigs as part of the degree that I feel I've reached a level that would have taken me 6 years had I not enrolled in this degree" said Fergus.

Fergus' range of gigs included race days, corporate functions and fundraisers.  But Fergus rates his time spent on Hamilton Island as one of the best.

"Each year we travelled to Hamilton Island 4 times, for a week at a time, to work with jazz greats from the local, national and international stage.  There's no better rehearsal for life after uni than being given the chance to live, breath and work as a professional musician at a premier entertainment venue like Hamilton Island," said Fergus.

Conservatorium lecturers Kim Kirkman and Mark Gasser will join Rockhampton's Dr Emma Killion to host auditions for the next batch of CQCM students in Rockhampton on Monday November  5, from Noon - 3pm at the Creative Arts Precinct.

It's not too late to apply and further details of auditions are available via Kim MacKenzie on 4940 7801 or k.mackenzie@cqu.edu.au .

CQU's new Bachelor of Music (Specialisation) degree is designed to provide specialist training in jazz and popular music, classical music and music theatre. The new Bachelor of Performing Arts (Specialisation) is a flexible program with a number of specialisation options, preparing graduates who are competent to work in a variety of settings within the Arts industry.

Both of these degrees can also lead to school teaching careers with the addition of a one-year intensive Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching qualification.

For more information go to http://www.cqu.edu.au/