Study Overseas

The success of Australian artists on the world stage in the fields of both classical and contemporary music has long since established the fact that the country's musical heart beats loudest in the city of Sydney.

Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its golden sprawling beaches, magnificent harbour and vibrant metropolis.

Sydney has always been noted as the country's cultural epicentre. With its much lauded Art Gallery, its museums and festivals, and of course its famous Opera House, the city combines baroque and classical-period European charm with the country's unique blend of urban and rural flavours. Like much of Australia, Sydney is a city of extremes - the fast pace of weekly city living is juxtaposed against the long lazy weekends, when locals lap the sun by surfing the Bondi breaks or cruising into the pleasing cool of the majestic Blue Mountains. Hot and sultry summer days often break into terrifically inspiring thunderstorms during the holidays months that surround Christmas. Winter remains pleasingly moderate, and provides the perfect time to travel into the rolling green of the Southern Highlands, where the chill of the Tasman Sea crowns the tops of the Snowy Mountains with a cap of powder snow.

For the international student based in this fabulous city, Sydney also offers the combination of cultural and sporting events. Summer sports such as cricket and tennis see international stars compete in some of the world's most prestigious grand slam events, while winter sees the kick-off the country's most exalted sports: rugby and Australian-Rules Football.

But if Australians are to be thought of as a sports-mad bunch, it is a love secondary only to that of fine dining in one of the city's many world-famous restaurants. The culinary delights of establishments such as Doyle's famous seafoods are complemented by the breathtaking sight of the sun setting over the crystal waters of the harbour.

The annual celebration of the nation's foundation takes place in late January, where crowds gather in the city's Rocks district where Australia's colonial past merges with its contemporary technology.

It is when the sun goes down that the city comes to life, with its numerous clubs and nightspots. Touring international musical artists frequent Sydney's purpose-built Entertainment Centre, and the surrounding Darling Harbour complex that houses its own collection of restaurants and exclusive gift shops, as well as the elegance of the newly opened Star City Casino. A short stroll through the beauty of sculptured gardens sees a market flourish with all the excitement and carnival atmosphere for which Sydney has become renowned. Chinatown acts as the gateway to the city proper, where shops sporting every designer label imaginable line bustling streets. Multistory skyscapers that open mimic the skyline of overseas locations such as New York, play home to the South Pacific offices of many of the world's 16st corporations, broadening the opportunities for employment for students from both local and international heritage.

It is here in these cosmopolitan surrounding that many of the country's leading artists transpire. Sydney's salubrious eastern suburb districts house many of the country's leading cultural institutions, the Australian Institute of Music amongst them. The Institute interacts with other cultural institutions and organisations to ensure the success of its students. The city's theatre district is but a stone's throw away, where many of the world's major musicals play; be it the latest taste of Andrew Lloyd-Webber, or the Rocky Horror Show. Sydney's Symphony Orchestra resides nearby, alone with the Australian Opera and Chamber Orchestra. Such groups stand at the pinnacle of the performing arts in this country; however, Australia has always managed to spawn some of the finest rock and contemporary rock musicians as well.

Given that Australians love a good drink, the local tradition of Aussie guitar-driven rock and roll has nurtured a string of musicians who have honed their wares on the infamous pub-rock circuit: INXS, Mid-night Oil, Silverchair, even Air Supply, grew up in the public eye as they touted their talents to discerning crowds. As a result, the world's major record labels have always maintained a keen interest in the domestic music scene, and have their own Sydney-based offices, whilst 20th Century Fox are currently constructing a new world-class studio complex.

A city of contrasts and diverse talent, Sydney is a wonderfully warn and hospitable place to visit or even better, study. It is a city that is young and colourful, and brimming with opportunities for those that wish to pursue their creative talents, or simply bathe in the warm glow of a summer's day. There's not a swag, billy-can or kangaroo to be seen you've got to go bush as a welcome to a place that possesses all the facilities that a major city must, with the charm that only the land down under can provide.

Author
Duane Shore
Student Information Officer
The Australian Institute if Music