Department of Music

The Department of Music was established within the Faculty of Arts. The first Professor of Music, Donald Richard Peart, was appointed in 1948. The first courses in Music were offered in the 1949 Calendar. Music I and Music II only were offered in that year with those wishing to take Music II first having to take Music  1A and 1B.  [1949 Calendar p.307] As per Regulations of the Faculty of Arts until 1953 only a pass degree in Music was awarded, but by 1954 students could undertake a pass degree or an Honours degree.Regulation 14. Music:Candidates for the Pass degree are required (a) to present a thesis on an approved subject, (b) to submit an original musical exercise, (c) to pass an examination designed to test comprehensively the candidate's knowledge of music, particularly in the field covered by his thesis.Candidates for the Honours degree must have obtained Honours in Music at the final examination for the degree of B.A. or must produce evidence of having done equivalent work. They will be required to submit (a), a thesis on.an approved subject, (b) one or more original compositions, of not less than 15 minutes duration, for full orchestra (with or without voices) or for chamber music combination; and to pass an examination in one of the following subjects :—(a) History of musical notation:(b) The practice of performing music during the period 1500-1800;(c) The social organization of music from the earliest times to the present day.This examination (conducted both orally and in writing) will test the candidate's knowledge of the current periodical literature in English and in one foreign language of the candidate's own choosing. "In 1957, the Senate of the university approved in principle the establishment of the degree of Bachelor of Music and the Board of Studies for it."  [Australia's First: a history of the University of Sydney Vol 2 1940-1990, p.173] The Degree of Bachelor of Music and the Board of Studies in Music are first mentioned in the University By-Laws Chap XC in the 1960 University Calendar.The role of the Board of Studies in Music was:'The Board— (a) shall supervise the teaching in the subjects of the First and Second Year Course taken by candidates for the degree ; (b) shall be responsible, with the assistance of such examiners as the Professorial Board may, on the report of the Board or of the Chairman, from time to time appoint, for the conduct of examinations in those subjects; (c) shall take cognisance of and encourage scholarship and research in those subjects ; (d) shall consider and report upon all matters referred to 'it by the Senate or by the Vice-Chancellor or by the Professorial Board; (e) may consider and report to the Professorial Board upon all matters relating to the studies, lectures and examinations for the degree.' [1960 Calendar]Discussions had been underway for a move of the Department of Music to the Conservatorium as early as 2001. At its meeting on 5 October 2004 Senate dissolved the Board of Studies with immediate effect [res. 308/04] During 2005 there were ongoing discussions relating to the individual degrees, diplomas and certificates supervised by the Conservatorium of Music and the Department of Music prior to formal amalgamation of these two units. [2005 Calendar p.403] The Department of Music amalgamated with the Conservatorium of Music in 2005.