IT’S A SUNNY day for the ANU School of Music, with back-to-back announcements of impending support.

The University ANU has welcomed the announcement today by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr that a re-elected ACT Labor government will commit $250,000 each year for four years to help fund the advanced music program at ANU.

“ACT Labor welcomes the University’s commitment today to continue offering music degrees and research through the school, but we understand the additional cost of a conservatorium-style advanced program to train the next generation of elite professional performers requires external support and cooperation between ANU, government, community and wider sponsors. “

Naturally enough, ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt has welcomed the funding commitment.

He noted that such ACT funding would go towards the $800,000 in community support identified by the Podger Review to support an advanced music program.

“The University is delighted the Chief Minister Barr has shown his support for the School of Music, which is a great national asset in the ACT,” Professor Schmidt said.

Mr Barr’s announcement follows news of the six-month community consultation and final report by Professor Andrew Podger.

The ANU today announced it would invest $12.5 million in strategic funds in the School of Music over the next five years to ensure a ‘bright future’ for music teaching and research at the university.

Professor Brian Schmidt said, “The community consultation has provided valuable feedback for the University about the approaches we can take to ensure that music has a bright future as part of this university…“I’m committed to ANU having a School of Music that provides high quality education to students, contributes to the University’s research and to the community as a centre of music.”

“We are very lucky to have Professor Malcolm Gillies AM, with his almost lifelong connection to the School and music in Canberra, to lead the School over the next six months,” he added, saying the selection of a permanent Head for the School was well advanced and the University expected to make an announcement in the near future.