ANU commits $12.5 million to future of School of Music

ANU announced it would invest $12.5 million in strategic funds in the School of Music over the next five years to ensure a bright future for music teaching and research at the University.

 

The announcement comes in response to the report on a six-month long community consultation undertaken for the University by Professor Andrew Podger AO.

 

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt AC said he was grateful to Professor Podger for his work and to the community for participating in the consultation.

 

"The community consultation has provided valuable feedback for the University about the approaches we can take to ensure that music has a bright future as part of this university," said Professor Schmidt.

 

"I'm committed to ANU having a School of Music that provides high quality education to students, contributes to the University's research and to the community as a centre of music.

 

"I'm delighted to announce that the University will be making a substantial investment in the School of Music of $12.5 million over the next five years to give it a solid foundation upon which to build a School befitting of ANU and this community.

 

"The School is already benefitting from a series of high-quality appointments over the past year, all of whom are making their mark on the School and in the community. I'm delighted by the energy and enthusiasm with which our new staff are approaching their roles.

 

"We are very lucky to have Professor Malcolm Gillies AM, with his almost lifelong connection to the School and music in Canberra, to lead the School over the next six months.

 

"We're putting in place the major funding that will enable the School to prosper, and Professor Gillies, along with the staff at the School, will begin to chart a new course for the School, well informed by the recommendations of the Podger Community Consultation."

 

Professor Schmidt said the selection of a permanent Head for the School was well advanced and the University expected to make an announcement in the near future.

 

"We've had a good field, and the new Head will be joining a School that has financial certainty and the clear backing of the University and the community to succeed. I'm delighted that Professor Gillies will also make himself available in a mentoring role.

 

"Music is part of the life of Canberra, and we have been delighted that the community has emphasised how important it is to them that the School of Music be able to contribute to the life of the national capital. We're investing to make sure we can offer students an outstanding education program that includes performance, composition, musicology and music technology.

 

"The strength of community support means that we'll also be exploring the establishment of a School of Music Community Engagement Advisory Board."

 

Professor Schmidt said that the Podger Community Consultation identified the need for community support in the order of $800,000 per year to enable the University to offer an advanced music program in addition to its broader music education program.

 

"The reality of Canberra being a small city means that we need community support to offer a more advanced program, which will help underpin a strong music culture in Canberra. We'll be approaching the ACT Government, prospective sponsors and the general community to seek their support to make it all work.

 

"I'm asking the community to rally behind the University and the School in building a vibrant future," Professor Schmidt said.

 

View the final Podger report here.

 

View the ANU response here.