Stronger focus on creative arts for Uni of Adelaide

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

The University of Adelaide aims to strengthen its ties with the music industry and create new, flexible education opportunities for music students under proposed changes to the teaching and learning experience announced today.

Executive Dean of the University's Faculty of Arts, Professor Jennie Shaw, says: "While the University of Adelaide is highly regarded for the quality of its teaching at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, little has changed in these programs over the past 15 years. At the same time, there have been great changes in the industry and in technology.

"We want the learning experience to help music students apply their skills to multiple career opportunities across different industries, preparing them for long-term employment and giving them the capacity to adapt and change more readily.

"Our new teaching and learning model will include greater crossover of skills in areas such as popular music, classical, jazz, performance, teaching, media and multimedia. "As a result, the music curriculum will become as flexible and diverse as possible, representing the interests of students across a wide range of genres. Rather than being known for one specialisation such as voice, composition or violin, they will receive a portfolio of skills that are relevant to the challenges and opportunities in the industry in the 21st century."

The University of Adelaide is the State’s premier tertiary music training institution focusing on bachelor and higher degrees.

"Of course specialised face-to-face music teaching will remain a cornerstone of the Con’s teaching as you would expect," says Professor Shaw.

"We are also increasing our support for research within the Centre of Aboriginal Studies in Music, which underpins our commitment to Indigenous education in the creative arts at the University."

The Director of the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music, and renowned Australian composer, Professor Graeme Koehne AO, says: "I'm excited about the opportunities being presented to future students through these changes. This is a critical time for music, both as an art form and an industry, with shifting demographics and rapid changes in technology affecting both the production and delivery of music.

"I am keen to build even stronger connections with the music industry, who have a unique role to play in the education and training of our students, as well as in their future career paths."

Contact Details