Elder Conservatorium of Music facts for kids
The Elder Conservatorium of Music, often called "The Con", is a top music school in Australia. It is located in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia. The school is named after its generous supporter, Sir Thomas Elder. It started way back in 1883. Since then, it has trained many musicians, composers, and music teachers. It also supports music research. The Elder Conservatorium has been part of the University of Adelaide since the 1880s. The current Director is Professor Anna Goldsworthy.
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History of the Elder Conservatorium
The Elder Conservatorium of Music officially began in 1898. This happened because Sir Thomas Elder, a wealthy Scottish-Australian farmer, left money for it in his will. His statue stands outside Elder Hall today. But the school's story started even earlier.
In 1883, Sir Thomas Elder also helped create the Elder Professorship of Music. The first professor started in 1884. At the same time, Sir Thomas Elder set up funds for music scholarships. These included the Elder Overseas Scholarship in London and the Elder Scholarships in Music at the University of Adelaide.
Also in 1883, a pianist named Immanuel Gotthold Reimann started his own school, the Adelaide College of Music. For a few years, the University's music school focused on writing music and theory. Reimann's college focused on playing music. In 1898, these two schools joined together. They moved into the current North Terrace building in 1900. Hermann Heinicke then started the first Conservatorium Orchestra.
The Elder Conservatorium has joined with other music schools three times. The first was in 1898 with the Adelaide College of Music. The second was in 1991 with the School of Performing Arts. The third was in 2001 with the School of Music of the Adelaide Institute of TAFE. It used to be a separate faculty at the university. Now, it is a special school within the Faculty of Arts. Since 2002, it has been connected with the Association of European Conservatoires. It also works with the Helpmann Academy. This group helps different arts schools work together.
Seven people have held the Elder Professorship of Music. They have also led the Conservatorium. These leaders include Professor Joshua Ives (1884–1901) and Professor John Bishop (1948–1964). The current Director, Professor Anna Goldsworthy, started in July 2022.
In 1886, Professor Ives started Australia's first public music exams. This led to the creation of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). In 1898, the University of Adelaide was the first in Australia to offer a Doctor of Music (DMus) degree. In 1902, Edward Harold Davies received the first Australian music doctorate. In 1918, Ruby Davy became the first woman in Australia to earn a music doctorate from the university.
Many famous musicians, conductors, and composers have taught at the Conservatorium. These include Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Ruby Davy. The Australian String Quartet has been based at the Conservatorium since 1991.
The years when Professor John Bishop led the school were very exciting. He helped start the Adelaide Festival of Arts. In 2005, the Conservatorium won a Classical Music Award. This was for its great music program at the 2004 Adelaide Festival. The Conservatorium also hosts the Australian Youth Orchestra's annual summer school, National Music Camp.
The Conservatorium also does research in many areas. These include different types of music performance, composing, and digital arts. It also works with the Sia Furler Institute for Contemporary Music and Media.
Current Staff Highlights
The Elder Conservatorium has many talented staff members. They help students learn and grow.
Executive Staff
- Professor Anna Goldsworthy (Director)
- Associate Professor Carl Crossin OAM (Deputy Director Learning and Teaching)
- Associate Professor Luke Dollman (Deputy Director Research)
Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM)
- Grayson Rotumah (Co-Director)
- Dr Dylan Crismani (Co-Director)
Classical Performance
This team teaches students how to play classical music. They teach instruments like piano, violin, cello, and voice.
- Dr Elizabeth Layton (Head of Classical Performance; Head of Strings)
- Professor Anna Goldsworthy (Keyboard)
- Associate Professor Carl Crossin OAM (Head of Classical Voice)
- Teddy Tahu Rhodes (Classical Voice)
Creative Practice
This area focuses on creating new music and art.
- Dr Luke Harrald (Head, Creative Practice)
- Professor Charles Bodman Rae (Composition)
Jazz Performance
Students learn to play jazz music here. They study instruments like saxophone, guitar, and drums.
- Mark Ferguson (Head of Jazz; Piano)
Music Education
This section trains future music teachers.
- Dr Emily Dollman (Head)
Music Theatre
This area teaches students how to perform in musicals. They learn singing, dancing, and acting.
- George Torbay AM (Head)
Academic Programs
The Elder Conservatorium has offered music degrees and diplomas since the late 1800s. Women were able to graduate from the Conservatorium much earlier than from some other universities.
The Conservatorium offers many programs for students. These include undergraduate (first) degrees and postgraduate (advanced) degrees.
Undergraduate Programs
Students can earn a Diploma or a Bachelor of Music degree.
Diploma in Music
- Diploma in Music (Music Production)
- Diploma in Music (Songwriting & Commercial Music)
Bachelor of Music
This degree has many specialisations. Students can focus on:
- Classical Voice
- Classical Performance (playing instruments)
- Music Composition (writing music)
- Jazz Performance
- Music Education and Pedagogy (teaching music)
- Musicology (studying music history and theory)
- Popular Music
- Sonic Arts (music using technology)
- Music Theatre
There are also "Advanced" versions of these degrees for students who want to do more in-depth study.
Honours
After a Bachelor's degree, students can do an Honours degree. This involves more advanced study and research.
Postgraduate Programs
These are for students who want to continue their music studies after their first degree.
Graduate Diploma in Music and Master of Music
Students can specialise in:
- Classical Performance (for various instruments like brass, keyboard, strings, voice, woodwind)
- Jazz Performance (for various instruments and voice)
- Conducting
The Conservatorium also offers Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These are for advanced research in areas like Composition, Musicology, and Music Performance.
Associate in Music, University of Adelaide
This was an older diploma course offered by the university. It started in 1900 and ended in 1972.
Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music
The Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) started in 1972. It is part of the Elder Conservatorium. It focuses on Aboriginal music and studies.
Facilities
The Conservatorium has great places for students to learn and perform.
Elder Hall
Elder Hall is one of Australia's best concert halls. It opened in 1900. It has a special roof design and a large organ. Elder Hall is where many of the Conservatorium's concerts take place. Other concerts are held at the Adelaide Town Hall and St Peter's Cathedral.
Electronic Music Unit
The Electronic Music Unit (EMU) is a hub for music technology. It focuses on sound production, sonic arts, and electronic music. It started in 1962 and was the first studio of its kind in Australia. EMU has recording studios, computer rooms, and old analogue synthesizers from the 1960s. It also hosts concerts for modern and experimental music. EMU teaches students skills like sound engineering and designing sound for games or films.
Performing Ensembles
Students at the Conservatorium can join many different music groups.
Classical Choirs
Carl Crossin OAM leads the choral music program. He is also a famous conductor.
Elder Conservatorium Chorale
This is a mixed-voice choir. It includes students from the Conservatorium and other parts of the university. They perform their own concerts and often sing with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Bella Voce
Bella Voce is a choir for female voices.
Orchestras
Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra
The Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) is led by Luke Dollman. It is mostly made up of full-time music students.
Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
This orchestra is conducted by Bryan Griffiths.
Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra
This orchestra was started in 1973. It features advanced students from the Conservatorium. Elizabeth Layton currently directs it.
Jazz Ensembles
Adelaide Connection
The Adelaide Connection is the Conservatorium's main Jazz Choir. It has 15 to 18 students. They sing complex jazz harmonies, both without instruments and with them.
Elder Conservatorium Big Band
The Big Band plays a wide range of jazz music. They have worked with famous jazz musicians like James Morrison. They have also performed at many jazz festivals.
Elder Conservatorium Latin Jazz Ensemble
This group plays music from the Caribbean, Colombia, and New Orleans. It helps students prepare for the Big Band.
Elder Conservatorium Guitar Ensemble
This group is led by Oliver Fartach-Naini. Most members are classical guitar students.
Institutional Links
The Elder Conservatorium works closely with other important music groups.
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is South Australia's largest performing arts group. It started in 1936. The ASO offers training for music students. They also work with the Conservatorium to offer a special conducting program. This is the first time an Australian university and orchestra have teamed up for such a program.
Australian String Quartet
The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) is based at the University of Adelaide. They perform concerts, hold workshops, and mentor students.
State Opera South Australia
State Opera South Australia (SOSA) is a professional opera company. It started in 1976. Many Conservatorium graduates become professional singers with SOSA. The Conservatorium and SOSA now work together to produce an opera each year. This involves both the Conservatorium's singers and its symphony orchestra.
