Australian Music Icons Rally Against ANU School of Music Funding Cuts

Support for ANU School of Music

Australian music legends, including Jimmy Barnes and Genesis Owusu, have come together to advocate for the preservation of the Australian National University’s (ANU) School of Music. This initiative comes in response to recent proposals aimed at restructuring the well-respected music program as part of a significant cost-reduction strategy.

Proposed Changes to the School of Music

Earlier this year, ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop outlined plans to transform the School of Music into a more generalized program, merging it with a new School of Creative and Cultural Practice. This would mean a shift away from traditional one-to-one instrument instruction in favor of a revised Bachelor of Music that prioritizes music production, technology, and Indigenous music.

As part of this restructuring, seven positions primarily focused on performance, composition, theory, and musicology could be eliminated, which is raising alarm among educators and professionals in the music field.

Open Letter from Music Leaders

In an open letter released this week, prominent figures in the music industry urged Chancellor Bishop to reverse proposed job cuts and maintain essential performance and composition majors. They emphasized the importance of one-on-one music education, warning that the proposed alterations would have a "devastating" impact on students and emerging musicians.

The letter, drafted by the newly established School of Music Advocacy Roundtable and endorsed by over 40 notable supporters, argues that future graduates would lack the qualifications needed to pursue professional careers in music due to the anticipated changes.

Impact on Canberra’s Music Scene

The signatories expressed concerns that the removal of personalized tuition and a departure from professional standards would dismantle Canberra’s music ecosystem. They warned that this could weaken national arts leadership and significantly alter Australia’s cultural landscape.

Joining Barnes and Owusu in this call to action are Dave Faulkner from Hoodoo Gurus, Steve Kilbey of The Church, Lindsay McDougall from Frenzal Rhomb, The Voice Australia star Lucy Sugerman, and other notable artists and organizations.

Jimmy Barnes articulated a powerful point, stating, “If one of our leading universities walks away from its responsibility, it sends a clear message that we don’t value the next generation of musicians.”

The Broader Implications

The chair of the School of Music Advocacy Roundtable, Robyn Hendry, expressed her concerns regarding the ramifications of these proposed cuts. She highlighted that restricting the pipeline of musicians would not only deprive students of their essential education but would also diminish the pool of future composers, producers, and educators.

Hendry urged the ANU to reconsider its plans, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to create a viable and attractive program for students. She stated, “We are ready and willing to bring our industry experience to bear and collaborate on solutions that will offer an attractive product for students.”

As the dialogue continues, the future of the School of Music hangs in the balance. What are your thoughts on the importance of preserving specialized music education at universities?