Elizabeth Mitchell Thesis VMTA May 2018
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An Interpretation of the Value Imparted by the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association to Music Education in Australia Elizabeth Embley Mitchell Submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy March 2018 Melbourne Graduate School of Education The University of Melbourne Abstract Studio instrumental and vocal teaching has, for centuries, played a vital role in music education. Music Teachers’ Associations (MTAs) exist in all States of Australia and internationally, and are particularly supportive of instrumental teachers in a somewhat isolating profession. While also involved with school music, it is the studio teacher who is their chief focus. Little, however, is known of the history of the Victorian MTA and the part it has played in supporting music education. This study investigates the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association (VMTA), reporting on the Association’s contributions to music education in Australia. The Association’s origins are examined, and the influence of other Australian MTAs and parallel organisations internationally is noted. The views of the surviving former Presidents, Professor Max Cooke, OAM (b. 1924), Associate Professor Ronald Farren-Price, AM (b. 1930), Mr Graham Bartle, OAM (b. 1928) and Mr Darryl Coote (b. 1963) are presented, and the work of VMTA stalwart Eileen Stainkamph, both within and outside the VMTA, is discussed. Throughout the thesis, voices that are in danger of being forgotten are given some prominence. The relationships between the Association and other organisations are discussed, and the under-appreciated support for composition, seen sporadically throughout the VMTA’s existence, is examined. A discussion of professional development activities and the wide- ranging advantages of membership is included, and the VMTA’s journal Music and the Teacher (MAT) is appraised. The significance of social aspects of the Association’s work is evaluated, and peripheral activities such as the production of fundraising cookbooks are discussed. It is argued that significant identities in the Association’s history have shaped its direction and activities more consistently than educational, musical and social imperatives. i The thesis, based in historical inquiry, contextualises the findings within the broader setting of the Association’s contributions to music education, as well as presenting possible directions for the future, based on past successes, less noteworthy enterprises, and a recognition of the need to grow. ii Declaration This is to certify that: (i) The thesis comprises only my original work towards the PhD except where indicated in the Preface. (ii) Due acknowledgement has been made in the text to all other material used. (iii) The thesis is fewer than 100,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. iii Preface The University of Melbourne granted ethics approval for the researcher to interview surviving former Presidents of the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association (VMTA) in 2012, prior to enrolment in the PhD degree course. iv Acknowledgements I gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Associate Professor Neryl Jeanneret and Associate Professor Jane Southcott. Professor Jeanneret’s confidence in my capacity to submit a thesis, plus her many helpful comments, suggestions and ideas – conveyed with good humour and encouragement – have provided ongoing support. Her assistance in negotiating the various steps involved in reaching this point is greatly appreciated. Associate Professor Southcott’s inspirational guidance, meticulous attention to detail, assistance in the development of a writing style, and her profound knowledge of suitable resources has been of enormous value. I realise how fortunate I have been in having these two supervisors. To those who assisted through interviews and personal communication, thank you. To my family – my husband Colin and children James and Audrey – thank you for your patience, good humour and encouragement. v Dedication In memory of Jill Thomas VMTA Administrator 1988 – 2007 vi Table of Contents Page Abstract i Declaration iii Preface iv Acknowledgements v Dedication vi Table of Contents vii List of Figures ix Chapter One: Introduction 1 Chapter Two: Review of Literature 11 Chapter Three: Methodology 42 FINDINGS The Association: Its Origins and People Chapter Four: The Early Years: 1927 – 1934 69 Chapter Five: The Leaders 102 Chapter Six: Not Just Theory Papers: The Wisdom and Generosity of Eileen Stainkamph 149 Facilitating the Work of the Association Chapter Seven: With a Little Help From Our Friends: The Victorian Music Teachers’ Association’s Relationships with other Organisations 171 Chapter Eight: But That’s Not What We Do! The Victorian Music Teachers’ Association and the Composer 197 vii Supporting Music Teachers Chapter Nine: A Summer School at Easter: Professional Development and Outreach Attempts 228 Chapter Ten: What They Thought We Needed to Know: The Association’s Journal, Music and the Teacher 259 Social Interaction and Other Benefits Chapter Eleven: Dry-cleaning, Scores and Scones: Social Aspects and Outreach Attempts 277 Chapter Twelve: Food and Fundraising 298 CONSOLIDATION Chapter Thirteen: Discussion 323 Chapter Fourteen: Conclusion 333 Bibliography 346 Appendix A: List of Questions for Former VMTA Presidents 362 Appendix B: List of Questions for VMTA Members and Non-members 364 Appendix C: Cast of Some of the Characters, Significant Organisations and Scores 366 Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations 369 Appendix E: Interviews and Personal Communication contributing to the Thesis 372 viii List of Figures Figure 1: Structure of thesis. Figure 2: First Conference of the Music Council of Australia; signatures. Figure 3: Data sources. Figure 4.1: Allans (originally Allan & Co. music warehouse and store) floor plan of teaching rooms. Australian Musical News, (AMN) December 1923. Figure 5.1: The Presidents (sources identified). Figure 5.2: The surviving former Presidents (sources identified). Figure 5.3: Harold Elvins. Australian Musical News, October 1924. Figure 5.4: Louis Lavater. Australian Musical News, 1928, vol. 18, no. 4. Figure 5.5: VMTA Art of Speech Section promotional card. VMTA Archive; Scrapbook. Figure 5.6: James Steele. Australian Musical News, August 1938. Figure 5.7: Lindsay Biggins. Music and the Teacher, December 1978. Figure 5.8: Roy Shepherd. Australian Musical News, 1938, vol. 28, no. 7. Figure 5.9: John Ingram. Music and Dance (the name for the Australian Musical News 1960 – 1963), 1960, vol. 51, no. 3. Figure 5.10: Ethel Ferriman. Australian Musical News, 1938, vol. 28, no. 8. Figure 5.11: Noel Nickson. Music and Dance (AMN), 1962, vol. 52. No. 9. Figure 5.12: Warren Thomson, OAM, The University of Sydney, Vale Warren Thomson Page. Figure 5.13: Ronald Farren-Price AM, Max Cooke OAM, and Vice-President Mack Jost, Music and Dance (AMN), 1962, vol. 52, no.10. Figure 5.14: May Clifford, OAM, Music and Dance (AMN), 1962, vol. 52, no. 10. ix Figure 5.15: Ian Harrison. Society of Organists of Victoria, 2002. Figure 5.16: Leaflet regarding fees. VMTA Archive. Figure 5.17: Judy Hall, OAM, The Age, 2013. Figure 6.1: Eileen Stainkamph, Australian Musical News, October 1924. Figure 6.2: Stainkamph’s Essential Theory Papers, published by Allans Music. Researcher’s private collection. Figure 6.3: Stainkamph’s Essential Scales and Arpeggios for Piano, published by Allans Music. Researcher’s private collection. Figure 7: William James of the ABC and VMTA. Australian Musical News, 1927, vol.16, no. 6. Figure 8.1: Miriam Hyde’s Autumn Stream, published by Allans Music. Private collection, Jane Southcott. Figure 8.2: Grainger Museum, University of Melbourne. Researcher’s private collection. Figure 9.1: Maie Hoban, Australian Musical News, 1936, vol. 27, no. 5, front cover. Figure 9.2: Miriam Hyde’s Four Funny Frogs, published by Allans Music. Private collection, Jane Southcott. Figure 9.3: Robin Wright demonstrates aspects of the new AMEB Preliminary Syllabus, The Sun News Pictorial, January 30th 1975. Figure 10.1: The cover of Music and the Teacher, December 1973. VMTA Archive. Figure 10.2: The unimaginative cover of Music and the Teacher, September 1978. VMTA Archive. Figure 10.3: The cover of Music and the Teacher, December 1999 features a collage of photographs from social events. VMTA Archive. Figure 10.4: Geoff McFerran, James Wastell, Max Cooke, Mavis Vinicombe and Pat Leslie holding fifty-year membership certificates. There is also notification of the new x website address. VMTA Archive. Figure 10.5: A wraparound cover in [Music and the Teacher] March 1975. VMTA Archive. Figure 11.1: Program for concert supporting the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children. VMTA Archive. Figure 11.2: VMTA Garden Party Cake recipe from Prestissimo Food for Agitato Musicians, (2nd edition). Researcher’s private collection. Figure 12.1: Prestissimo Food for Agitato Musicians (2nd edition). Researcher’s private collection. Figure 12.2: Prestissimo Food for Agitato Musicians (1st edition). Researcher’s private collection. Figure 12.3: Veal Chops in Sherry recipe from Prestissimo Food for Agitato Musicians (2nd edition). Researcher’s private collection Figure 12.4: Harrison’s Lemonade from Prestissimo Food for Agitato Musicians (2nd edition). Researcher’s private collection. Figure 14: May Clifford, Music and the Teacher, September 1974. VMTA Archive. xi Chapter One Introduction This is a historical inquiry into the role and work of the Victorian Music Teachers’ Association