University of Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music the South
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University of Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music Thesis Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy – Music Education The South Australian May Music Camp: 1962 -1986 Submitted by Jennifer Watkins Adelaide, July 30, 2018 1 1 Abstract The aim of this research is to compile a chronological history of the South Australian May Music Camp (SAMMC), identifying it as a significant extra-curricular activity in the calendar of music education opportunities, open to children from nine to 23 years of age, between 1962 and 1986. This annual non- residential music camp took place over a five-day period, in the May school holidays. In 1987, a change of name to the South Australian State Music Camp (SASMC) occurred when the South Australian Government altered the annual school calendar from three terms to four, and the camp moved from the May to July school holidays. Students auditioned for SAMMC, to engage in an intensive, graded music ensemble experience, receiving expert tuition from professional music educators, while being exposed to extensive orchestral and wind ensemble repertoire. The SASMC continues to run successfully in 2018. This research follows the establishment of music camps in Australia in 1948, examining the contribution of the National Music Camp Association (NMCA) in the spread of state-based camps across Australia, specifically the SAMMC in Adelaide, and the subsequent formation of the South Australian Music Camp Association (SAMCA). The investigation outlines the aims and objectives of SAMCA acknowledging the important position SAMMC holds in South Australian music education history. Prior to this research, no record of the activities of SAMCA or SAMMC existed, so it makes a significant contribution to SA historical records. A literature review summarises the potential benefits of music ensemble participation for student development, particularly within a non-residential music camp context. The music education environment in SA from which SAMMC emerged is observed, noting other ensemble opportunities available to primary and high school children at that time. This research records the establishment of the SA Department of Education Music Branch, which resulted in an increase in the number of primary school i students learning to play a musical instrument, and discusses how this growth contributed to the need for further ensemble performance opportunities in SA, highlighting how this was reflected in the expansion of SAMMC. The organisational structure, management and finances of the SAMCA are detailed, along with methods of communication. The administrative and learning environments are presented, specifically staffing, daily routines, repertoire and instrumentation, ensembles, standards and audition processes. Key personnel, such as Founders, Directors, Administrators, and people after whom SAMMC ensembles were named, are documented. This research records known historical details of the SAMMC, through the examination of primary and secondary sources, providing a comprehensive timeline of activities, outlining significant milestones. The oral testimonies of 51 past SAMMC participants who are still involved in community music activities was collected, which provides their opinions on the benefits of ensemble participation at music camps and confirms the significant contribution made by the SAMMC to music education in SA. The research observes the actions of the SAMCA to recognise the changing music education environment surrounding SAMMC, and how it sought ways to adjust, change and expand activities to accommodate those developments. The evidence presented provides significant evidence supporting the argument that the SAMMC has made an important contribution to South Australian music education history. ii 2 Declaration I certify that this work contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in my name in any university or other tertiary institution and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. In addition, I certify that no part of this work will, in the future, be used in a submission in my name or any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution without the prior approval of the University of Adelaide and where applicable, any partner institution responsible for the joint award of this degree. I give consent to this copy of my thesis, when deposited in the university Library, being made available for loan and photocopying, subject to the provisions of the copyright Act 1968. I also give permission for the digital version of my thesis to be made available on the web, via the University’s digital research repository, the Library Search and also through web search engines, unless permission has been granted by the University to restrict access for a period of time. I acknowledge the support I have received for my research through the provision of an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. Signature: Jennifer Watkins Date: July 30, 2018 iii 3 Acknowledgements “It was agreed that Mrs Ruth D. Alexander and Mr R. Maslyn-Williams be authorised to examine the historical material of the association and mark those items which, at some future date, might be considered suitable material for deposition in the National Library, Canberra.”1 Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the National Music Camp Association, founders of the South Australian May Music Camp, in particular, the 1978 NMCA committee who realised the value of the historical material that the organisation held, and their decision to deposit these items in the National Library of Australia. I am grateful to the NMCA for their forward thinking in deciding to archive their records, thus providing a major source of information for this research. Next, the South Australian Music Camp Association has provided valuable assistance for this research. The support and acceptance of the association to share information and provide encouragement has been invaluable. In turn, it has helped those on the current committee to acknowledge the value of the South Australian Music Camp Association, the South Australian May Music Camp and the South Australian State Music Camp records. As such it is pleasing to know that they will be following the example set by the Federal office 40 years ago, by depositing the South Australian records in an archival facility. This history reveals an organisation which, for 25 years, worked determinedly for the benefit of young South Australian musicians. The contribution of past participants, through their shared memories and opinions is truly appreciated. I would like to thank Dr Jenny Rosevear AM and Dr Jula Szuster for their supervision throughout this research. The committee members of the South Australian Music Camp Association between 2014 and 2018, Samantha Taylor, Lisi McGowran, Rosemary Stimson, Mary Waterhouse, Dennis Johnson, Peter Webb, Wendy Heiligenberg (nee Thompson), Bogdan Kazimierczak, Elizabeth Collins, Martin Cheney, David Gill, and Charles Klein have all contributed. Thank you to the Australian Youth Orchestra for providing approval to access the archived records of the National Music Camp Association (NMCA), at the National Library of Australia. Thank you to Jenny Porter and Karen Alexander for allowing access to correspondence between their respective parents, founders of the NMCA, John Bishop and Ruth 1 National Music Camp Association, Minutes, August 20, 1978, 2. iv Alexander, which is held in the Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide. The staff at both libraries have assisted the researcher to access documents and contact people relevant to this research. Andrea McKinnon-Matthews, the Archivist at St Peter’s College, Hackney, Adelaide, and Samantha Cooper, Archivist at Pulteney Grammar School, South Terrace, Adelaide, have been most helpful. They have assisted me to locate photographs and school magazines, providing accurate supportive data. My employer, Concordia College Adelaide, has allowed periods of leave for interstate travel for study purposes. The school, and specifically the Music Department, have acknowledged the importance of the music camp, by hosting the SASMC between 2016 to 2018. As such, thanks are expressed to retiring Principal Lester Saegenschnitter, Music Director Mat Noble and music teachers Bronwyn Elsegood, Martin Cheney and Jill Scott, who have all provided regular encouragement. Thank you to everyone who participated in this research, providing their opinions and recollections of their experiences. These people are all listed below, and their individual contributions have been invaluable in the process of compiling the details of this chronological history of the South Australian May Music Camp. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Rosemary Stimson and Bogdan Kazimierczak, who both sadly passed away in the final months of this research. They will not be able to read the story to which they enthusiastically contributed, and this is a cause of sorrow for me. Rosemary and I met every few months during the research period to talk about music and life. She would frequently say, “I can’t wait to see what you have written – it must be a book!” Luckily, her friends, many of whom also contributed, will enjoy spotting her name with happy memories. Rosemary was so passionate about music camp as well as Music Education in our schools. Thank you to Karen