A core aim of ASME is to represent and advance Australian music education. We call upon all ASME and broader community members to be advocates and contribute to several significant national campaigns underway.
New South Wales Inquiry and Syllabi Consultation
The report from the Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in NSW has been released. This report will be referenced for years to come and will have a national impact, particularly for music education. I encourage you to engage with the overall findings and recommendations at the beginning of the report. Thank you to ASME members who devoted substantial energy to this inquiry individually and on behalf of the organisation.
The inquiry also addressed the new draft HSC Music syllabi released for public consultation. The drafts raise significant concerns, and we encourage members to complete the NESA Have Your Say survey by 17 December (https://bit.ly/3VC7WtP). ASME NSW strongly encourages all music teachers to select “strongly disagree” to all Music syllabi (Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension) and note your concerns such as:
- no composition elective
- no voice and choice for students
- reduced performance opportunities
- no musicology elective
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has recently paused all enrolments for their Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance) for 2025 and is conducting an immediate review of Dance, Acting, Drama and Music. These courses are important for the state and national creative ecology, including dual degree offerings with secondary teacher education. ASME national, ASME Qld and the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) are part of this review process. We encourage ASME and broader community members, particularly alumni, to write directly to Professor Lori Lockyer, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education, and Social Justice (CIESJ), to voice your concern and highlight the importance of these courses.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic support that often includes educational goals, and it is currently at risk of having funding reduced in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). A federal government review of the evidence case and NDIS pricing has recently been announced. We encourage ASME members and the broader community to support our music therapist colleagues and the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) by signing and sharing the petition (https://www.change.org/p/keep-music-therapy-as-an-ndis-funded-therapeutic-support).
What Can You Do To Be A Music Education Advocate?
You can contribute in many ways and may wish to focus on one or two of the suggestions below.
- Maintain and promote ASME membership (https://asme.edu.au/membership/).
- Complete and share petitions and surveys.
- Amplify advocacy on social media by sharing posts and personal experiences.
- Raise awareness about the benefits of music education through discussions with leadership, parents, and the community at your workplace.
- Write to your local MPs and Senators to highlight the importance of music education and share transformative personal stories.
- Generate media coverage by writing to journalists, drawing attention to the issues, and sharing stories about the transformative impact of music education in your work.
Let’s work together to advocate and advance music education for all.
With best wishes
Dr Jason Goopy
President
Australian Society for Music Education
president@asme.edu.au
