Sia Furler lends name to new institute

Sia Furler A new institute of contemporary music and media has been launched by the University of Adelaide and named after internationally acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Sia Furler. Housed at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and drawing on expertise from the Department of Media, the Sia Furler Institute for Contemporary Music and Media will build on the University’s already outstanding contribution to teaching and practice in these fields.

Adelaide-born Sia, who is one of Australia’s most celebrated and successful creative artists, said it was an “incredible honour” to have the institute named after her. The Sia Furler Institute will prepare students for careers in contemporary music performance and composition, film, digital and other new media, sound engineering and music technologies.

“In recognition of Sia’s international fame – and in keeping with her unique approach to music – we have established this new institute as an environment in which contemporary music and media can flourish together,” said the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Warren Bebbington.

Director of the Elder Conservatorium, Professor Graeme Koehne, says the University is honoured that Sia has given permission to have the institute named after her.

“As a performer and songwriter, and one whose creativity extends equally to video and digital media, Sia has become an inspiration to young artists the world over – and it’s that talent we aim to foster through our new institute,” he says.

Students will have the opportunity to learn under the guidance of experienced artists, academics and technicians-in-residence, and will showcase their achievements to public audiences.

Masterclasses, performances and short courses hosted by the Sia Furler Institute will also be available to the local community. Australian musician and SBS TV’s RocKwiz band leader James Black delivered the inaugural lecture at the University’s Elder Hall in May. In his lecture, What Makes a Band Sound Good?, James drew on his rich and celebrated 35-year career as a professional musician.

Watch a message from Sia at https://youtu.be/HFXyfELmOKo 

For more information about the Sia Furler Institute for Contemporary Music and Media visit
www.music.adelaide.edu.au/sia-furler-institute

Story by Genevieve Sanchez