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12 UWAnewslast wordsize of Perth, it seems competition is to be a given in musiceducation in WA. This competition has resulted inconsequences both good and bad. High quality, comprehensivemusic education at tertiary level relies on critical mass; for largegroup activities such as orchestras and choirs, for bringingstudents together to learn from, inspire and compete with eachother, for maximizing resources and for achieving economies ofscale. There is little doubt that a higher standard of educationcould be achieved through a single tertiary music school in WAin place of the current competitive model.By Mark CoughlanHead, School of MusicIt is nearly 50 years since music was formallyestablished as a discipline at UWA. This period hasbeen characterised by growth, entrepreneurship,building foundations in music scholarship andperformance and strong community outreach. It hasalso been marked by periods of intense competitionboth within and external to the University.The initial 1907 proposal to establish a university in WesternAustralia included music as one of the disciplines and thecampus design competition required the inclusion of aconservatorium building. However, some decades later, the planto establish a lectureship in music within the Faculty of Arts wasopposed by the faculty, which had competing priorities tosupport other developing disciplines. So competition was anissue for music from the outset. Finally, in the face of ongoingopposition from the Arts Faculty, it was agreed to appoint aReader in Music in the Faculty of Education.The first classes were in music history and music educationbut the original vision of establishing a conservatorium withinthe University remained.The proposal was never realised at UWA and, despite thefact that degree courses in performance were developed, theinability to offer a wider range of performance studies (such ascertificates and diplomas) ultimately led to the establishment ofthe WA Conservatorium of Music, which, as part of the WAAcademy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University, hasbeen competing with UWA in the provision of music degreesfor the past 15 years or so.Despite years of attempting to resolve the competitivetensions resulting from two tertiary music schools in a city theLABELHowever, on the positive side, competition has meant thatthe School of Music has had to work hard to remaincompetitive, ensuring a high level of student satisfaction,constantly reviewing its offerings to ensure they are up to date,professionally relevant and appealing to potential students. TheSchool has monitored developments nationally andinternationally and new initiatives have been embraced,including historical performance scholarship linked withperformance on original instruments and more recently worldmusic, jazz improvisation and music technology. An increase inthe number of public concerts and their professionalism andhigh profile has benefited not only music students, but theUniversity and wider community as well.After seeing the 2001 documentary film on the MusicDepartment of Sydney University, Facing the Music, I am not sosure the absence of competitive drive is always a good thing.Here was a music department that seemed trapped in a timewarp, one that had not been required to compete with theother music schools in Sydney (and there are at least fourothers) or seemingly within its own University for resources,student places or strategic support. The SydneyConservatorium, also part of the University of Sydney, had justreceived a new $150 million building but the Department ofMusic could not afford a few thousand dollars to pay someoneto take the choir.Facing the Music is an extreme example of the tensions andproblems many disciplines are experiencing in Australia. Thesimple approach to funding shortfalls is to cut offerings, increaseteaching loads and hope for better times. This strategy did notwork for the Sydney department where it created a downwardsspiral which ultimately threatens its ongoing viability. In acompetitive climate, the cutting of certain aspects of a courseto save money might result in giving away competitiveadvantage to another institution. This could then lead to adecline in enrolments and snowballing financial problems.So as we celebrate the vibrant UWA music culture builtduring the past 50 years, the next 50 begins with the challengeof how we continue to pay for it. I read recently of three majorUS music schools which were established in the 1920s; theEastman School (University of Rochester), the Curtis Institute(Philadelphia) and the Julliard School (New York) each with aprivate endowment of around US $12 million. That’s one wayto reduce competition!theSource: Touches of Sweet Harmony; John Meyer (Nedlands:Callaway International Resource Centre for Music Education,UWA, 1999)THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 4 NOVEMBER 2002
infoUWAnewsResearchGrants&ContractsAUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OFTECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES ANDENGINEERINGDr Philip Vercoe, Animal Science:‘Development of an international centre foraquaculture genetics and enhancement ofselective breeding program for the commercialproduction of freshwater crayfish in Australia’’–$13,636 (2002).GRAINS R&D CORPORATIONA/Prof Wallace Cowling and Dr SusanBarker, Plant Science:–‘Development ofmolecular marker and mapping technology forlupin breeding: UWA component comparativemapping across lupin species and between legumegenera’’— $218,235 (2002-04).Prof Zdenko Rengel, Soil Science & PlantNutrition 0701 Soil Science and Plant Nutrition:‘Optimising potassium cycling in soils and cropsfor improved grain production in WA’’—$498,076 (2002-06).Mr R. Snowball, CLIMA: ‘Germplasm collectionof trifolium and other pasture legume speciesfrom short season, low latitude regions in theMediterranean’’— $54,000 (2003-04).Continued on back pageCAMPUS DIARY • RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS • CLASSIFIED ADS • NOTICES • REDUNDANT EQUIPMENTLIFT-OUTCompiled by Joanna ThompsonTelephone: 9380 3029Facsimile: 9380 11624 NOVEMBER 2002 Volume 21 Number 17Email: joanna.thompson@uwa.edu.auChristians and Muslims a peaceful dialogueWhat is surely one of themost unusual combinationsof career and researchinterest should provide two stimulatingpublic lectures this week.Jesuit priest Father Tom Michal is aworld expert on Islam and has studiedand taught Christian-Muslim dialoguethroughout the world.The American Catholic priest with aPhD in Islamic theology is the Secretaryof Inter-religious Dialogue for theSociety of Jesus in Rome. He presentstwo lectures, one on TuesdayNovember 5 and another onWednesday November 6, both in theSocial Science Lecture Theatre, bothbeginning at 7.30pm.UWA’s Catholic chaplain, FatherGerald Brennan, also a Jesuit, said DrMichal was received enthusiasticallywhen he last visited UWA about fiveyears ago.“He not only has a profoundknowledge of Islam but he genuinelyTEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEEvalues it as a faith.”Fr Brennan said that after studying inIndonesia, Dr Michal had originally wantedto study medicine and return to Indonesiato help them with their health system.“But the Muslims in Indonesia toldhim that he could help them much moreby spreading the word about Islam. Andso he began lecturing and teaching.”He has lectured and taught atuniversities in the US, Indonesia, thePhilippines, Turkey, Iran, Malaysia andthe UK, including the Shahid BeheshtiUniversity in Teheran and ColumbiaUniversity in New York.His lectures this week are Christians andMuslims: Toward Dialogue of Liberation(Tuesday) and Islamic Revival in Asia :Implications for Christian-Muslim Dialogue(Wednesday). Entry to each lecture is $10.Dr Michal’s visit to UWA issponsored by the Western AustralianCouncil of Religious Studies. For moreinformation, call Sister Philomena on9325 6927 or 9370 6462.Teaching and Learning Development Fund - Outcomes-based Education Scheme - June 2002The Teaching and Learning Committee has selected the following eight projects for support from the Teaching and Learning Development Fundin support of the introduction of an outcomes-based approach to teaching, learning and assessment.The Committee congratulates the following grant recipients:Project Leader(s) Faculty School/Discipline Group/Dept Project Title Funds AllocatedAssociate Professor Ian Saunders Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty-wide (Communication Studies) Outcomes-based curriculum, Delivery andAssessment in Communication Studies $11,650Dr Nick Letch and Cherry Randolph Economics and Commerce Business School Outcome-based Scales for Student(Information Management and Marketing) Competencies in Information Systems $11,400Mrs Di Gardiner Education GSE The Development and Assessment ofProfessional Competencies as Outcomesof Initial Teacher Education in theGraduate Diploma in Education Programme $14,430Dr Angus Tavner Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Applying an Outcomes-based Approachto the Thermofluids Stream inMechanical Engineering $8700Dr David Glance Computer Science and Software Engineering Outcomes for Software Engineering 104.Level 1 Outcomes for Software Engineeringand Java Programming within the Schoolsof CSSE and EEE. $11,760Associate Professor Paula Baron Law Law To Develop an Outcomes-based EducationApproach to Contract Law $11,000Associate Professor Bob Bucat Life and Physical Sciences Biomedical and Chemical Sciences (Chemistry) The Development of an Outcomes-basedApproach to the Teaching and Learningof Introductory and Biological Chemistry 130 $13,455Sandra Carr Medicine and Dentistry Education Centre Essential and Desirable Clinical Skillsfor the Medical Course using anOutcomes-based Education Approach $7500In order to disseminate the results of these projects, each grant recipient will, after conclusion of the project, provide a short written report for theUniversity community and also participate in the presentation of a seminar organised by the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.Date compiled: 15 October 2002
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