New documents shared with university staff in South Australia reveal plans to axe the University of Adelaide’s 125-year-old Conservatorium of Music.
The renowned home of music education in the state is at risk as part of the historic SA university merger between the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of Adelaide, with a discussion paper released last week outlining the possible structure of the state’s new ‘super institution. The plans don’t include Adelaide University’s prestigious home of music education in SA – the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
Instead, a ‘School of Performing Arts and Music’ is named as being in its place. The proposed new facility is set to be one of six disciplinary-based schools under the new College of Creative Arts and Humanities.
A proud history that should not be lost
Musicians and music academics regard the Adelaide-based Conservatorium – opened in 1898 and proudly regarded as one of the oldest tertiary music academies in Australia – as one of the nation’s leading music institutions. It is also one of just four Australian music conservatoriums still running, with other schools in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The treasured institution’s omission from the 40-page document, released by joint Vice Chancellors of the new Adelaide University, Professor Peter Høj AC and Professor David G. Lloyd, raises worrying concerns from current staff members.
They believe dumping the conservatorium in its current format may have disastrous consequences for music education in the state.
Charles Bodman Rae is Elder Professor of Music – the faculty’s most senior member of staff – and says he was “blindsided” by the news of potential change to the structure or name of the institution.
“There is no credible case for any change,” he says.
“The Elder Conservatorium of Music is a prestigious ‘brand’ recognised as such at the national and international levels. It is one of the most valuable, publicly valued, and publicly visible brands the University of Adelaide has. So, it would seem most odd, even perverse, to cast it aside.”
SA could lose talented musicians
Professor Bodman Rae is adamant that removing the conservatorium will damage the state’s ability to attract and retain the state’s most exceptional music students.
“How would our friends and colleagues in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne react to our de-naming and demotion to the status merely of a school of performing arts?” he says.
“They might be quite pleased, because they would then be in the fortunate position of being able each year to recruit the finest musical talent from SA to move interstate for their training.
“Do I have a message for the joint vice-chancellors as they consult on their plans? Well, yes, I do, a very simple one. Don’t do it. Think again.”
The Elder Conservatorium of Music currently has over 500 students across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, encompassing all professional aspects of the music industry.
The university did not clarify if the merger would affect the conservatorium.
“The potential structure looks at the relationships suggested between associated functions and how they will work together to deliver on the strategic ambition for the Adelaide University,” a spokesman says.
“The functional areas within the portfolios are indicated by their core focus, however the proposed high-level functional structure does not go into the specific ways in which existing units within the organisation, including the Elder Conservatorium of Music, are to be arranged.
“Feedback from the consultation will inform the next phase of detailed planning and refinement.”
Support for youth music is vital
University staff can provide confidential feedback to “inform the next phase of detailed planning and refinement” until 13 May.
The Hon. Justice Christopher Legoe AO KC is the great, great-nephew of the institution’s namesake, SA pastoralist Sir Thomas Elder. He says his uncle would be “absolutely shattered” if the merger impacted the existence of the conservatorium.
“It would be a great setback and leave a big hole in youth music and the stature of the university in music itself,” says Mr Legoe, 95.
