ARC grant for Aboriginal music revival

A team of  researchers, led by the University of Adelaide has secured $1.03 million over three years under the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Indigenous Scheme to research Aboriginal tuning systems, how they are organised, and how they can be applied in collaboration with contemporary Western ensembles. 

The project also aims to revitalise dormant musical traditions in Arabana and Wangkangurru communities in both traditional and contemporary contexts. 

Researchers from the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) will employ a unique methodology that combines Indigenous and contemporary Western musical performance practices with cutting-edge digital technologies. 

A set of resources that will enable Arabana, Wangkangurru, and Titjikala musicians to integrate their musical cultural heritage into a contemporary setting will be just one outcome of the research.  

Key researcher from CASM, Dr Dylan Crismani says the project will help to redress the rapid loss of First Nations culture and make a case for more equitable dialogue between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal music-makers, to the mutual benefit of musicians, audiences, and society at large.

The research team also includes Professor Aaron Corn, inaugural director, Indigenous Knowledge Institute, the University of Melbourne; Dr Luke Dollman, deputy director, Elder Conservatorium of Music; Grayson Rotumah, co-ordinator, Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music; Dr Gabriella Smart, Soundstream New Music; and Eleanor McCall, Mobile Language Team.