SAVE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE NORTH
27 September 2007
Instrumental music is under threat in the North with the Head of the School of Visual and Performing Arts stating that he does want to have another student intake.
The diversity of University courses being offered in the North of Tasmania is under threat with University of Tasmania exploring a number of ways to axe instrumental music in Launceston and shift its responsibilities across to TAFE. If the closure of music goes ahead it will involve the loss of 1 fulltime position and 5 casual teaching positions. The Union believes that the course could be viable with good management and the University offering a student intake.
Rob Binnie, State Industrial Officer for the National Tertiary Education Union, Tasmanian Division said: “The NTEU is concerned for the future of instrumental music in the North of Tasmania and the loss of diversity of education opportunities being offered by the University to the community”
The closure will mean that the North of the State will be deprived of a proper practical music based course that leads to professional career opportunities. If the course is moved across to TAFE it will down grade the status of music. It will impact upon the students who have already graduated from the music stream in Launceston because their course will have less status.
“The loss of a practical instrumental based music programme will result in a down grading in the status of music and it will be a great loss to the community”, Mr Binnie said.
Currently the music course conducted at the Launceston, UTAS campus, is highly regarded across Australia and internationally. Many of the graduates have gone on to become musicians in bands across the country. The course has produced performers, arrangers, composers and recording artists who work nationally and internationally. Many graduates of the course also teach music privately or for education institutions at primary, secondary or tertiary level.
NTEU is concerned that the downgrading of music with the introduction of the Contemporary Arts Course will impact on the State’s music education and could flow onto a lower standard of Education Department music teaching. The Union is concerned about the diversity of education being offered at University level in the North of the State.
NTEU is calling on its members and the community to assist in protecting the music programme at the UTAS Launceston campus by letting their views be known to University Management.
For more information please contact Rob Binnie, NTEU State Industrial Officer, (03) 6226 7575