Category: Conservatorium Library

‘I Conduct, Therefore I Am’ Research Exhibition

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Illustrations by Maggie McMahon

9 August – 9 October | Conservatorium of Music Library 

Playing on René Descartes famous expression ‘I think, therefore I am’, Nicky Gluch’s PhD research contemplates what it means to be a conductor. 

Gluch explores this question by interrogating the influence of Descartes’ philosophy on Western society alongside the philosophy of Baruch Spinoza, opening up an alternate way of thinking about the relationship between the mind and body, and leaders and followers. The aim of Gluch’s work is to show that leadership does not need to be hierarchical but can rather be relational – an idea of relevance both on and off the podium.

A challenge of theoretical research is that it is often highly conceptual and as such Gluch commissioned illustrator Maggie McMahon to depict 10 key concepts from her work. These illustrations encapsulate five themes, paired with five figures, to tell a story about music leadership:

  • Text Descartes
  • Breath  Adam (Genesis)
  • Bodies Felix Mendelssohn
  • Space Richard Wagner
  • Unity Spinoza.

The five figures will be brought to life with examples of scores and other texts from the Library and Rare Books & Special Collections. 

Learn more about Nicky’s research through this recent article published in Fine Music Magazine, July 2022

You can also be part of the conversation about what it means to be a conductor by following #sydneyconresearch #orchestralconductor through August and September 2022.

A selection of illustrations by Maggie McMahon

Exhibition Talk with Illustrator
Maggie McMahon

The Conservatorium of Music Library hosted a conversation between Nicky Gluch and illustrator Maggie McMahon to discuss how Nicky’s research was translated into these illustrations for the exhibition.

You can watch the entire conversation on the Library’s Instagram Live here.

Ripple Effect Band: Music from the Top End

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On stage at Darwin Festival with Dr. Shellie Morris, August 2020. Photo Credit: Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis

29 March –29 May 2020 | Conservatorium of Music Library 

Be inspired by the music of the Indigenous all-women rock band
Ripple Effect from West Arnhem community.

Join us to explore the research of PhD Candidate, Jodie Kell and the role of women in music-making and the dynamics of gender in music performance. The Ripple Effect Band is an all-woman band from Maningrida, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. The exhibition documents their musical journey from their album recording at the Conservatorium in 2018, and how this relates to Jodie’s PhD research and thesis: Ngarra-ngúddjeya Ngúrra-mala: Expressions of Identity in the Songs of the Ripple Effect Band. Through photographs, scores, videos including a performance with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra and more, you are sure to be inspired by the diversity of their new musical works.

Performing at the Maningrida AFL Grand Final in 2019. Original band members L-R: Tara Rostron, Jolene Lawrence, Rona Lawrence, Stephanie James (drums), Rachel Thomas, Marita Wilton, Jodie Kell. Photo Credit: Tanja Bruckner

Whether you’re a researcher in music, language, Indigenous studies and gender studies or just enjoy Australian music, we look forward to seeing you at the exhibition. You are invited to join the conversation about Jodie’s research on Twitter.

Image above: Performing at the Maningrida AFL Grand Final in 2019. Original band members L-R: Tara Rostron, Jolene Lawrence, Rona Lawrence, Stephanie James (drums), Rachel Thomas, Marita Wilton, Jodie Kell. Photo Credit: Tanja Bruckner

Visit the Ripple Effect Band’s website and explore all their fascinating music and media!

Ripple Effect Media

Live Performance at Alice Springs Bush band 2018
Education resource for young children – Nabárrdja (The Little Crab) 

‘Ripple Effect’ – Event launch

The exhibition will have a launch on Tuesday, 19 April 2022 at 3pm, as part of the SCM Research Day.
A performance will be held by band members, Jodie Kell and Tara Rostron.

Light refreshments will be provided for in-person attendance; for catering purposes, in-person attendees must register by Friday, 8 April 2022.

Please register through Eventbrite via the link below.

Register here

Australian Piano Music 1850-1950. Our Cultural Legacy Exhibition

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Australian Piano music is Associate Professsor, Dr Jeanell Carrigan’s ongoing research area and this exhibition coincides with the publication of her new e-book, Australian Piano music from 1850-1950. A performer’s guide, which includes published piano music examples with recordings.

The exhibition includes newly published piano music scores written by Meta Overman, Iris de Cairos Rego, Una Bourne and more, as well as CD covers.

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Join us for our exhibition opening event

Date: Wednesday 7 August 2019

Time: 3:00pm

Location: Conservatorium Library

Register your attendance online

You can also visit the ‘Australian Piano Music 1850-1950. Our Cultural Legacy ’ Exhibition 5 August – 5 October 2019.

Listen to recordings from the exhibition on Dr Jeanelle’s website
(if required, select ‘advanced’ & ‘proceed’ to be redirected to the site) or visit Dr Jeanelle’s researcher profile page.

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Visited this exhibition? We would love your feedback in this short survey.

Rising from the East: Opera in China Exhibition

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The Sydney Conservatorium of Music Library presents PhD candidate, Jing Cai’s research exhibition: Rising from the East: Opera in China.

The exhibition showcases an operatic snapshot of China today; in particular how Chinese practitioners revive western classical operas and invent new contemporary Chinese operas.

The exhibition will feature three key themes: reviving western operas in contemporary featuring: Turandot, Die Fledermaus, Rigoletto, Aida and Der Fliegende Holländer; Chinese New Commission – Jinsha River composed by LEI Lei; Operatic Data and the NCPA.

When: 27 March – 27 May 2019

Where: Sydney Conservatorium of Music Library

Cost: Free

For more information on the Exhibition launch,
Wednesday 27 March 2:00pm, visit the Sydney Conservatorium of Music website

#sydneyconresearch

#usydlibrary

#sydneycon

#usyd

Exhibition: The Seeds of Songs and the Songs of Seeds: Warlpiri and Anmatyerr Women’s Songs

Posted on by Sarah Lorien

Yawulyu are a genre of Warlpiri women’s songs which encode knowledge of links to country, kinship connections and Dreaming stories as well as detailed ethnobiological knowledge from this unique region in the desert of Central Australia. This exhibition visually and auditorily presents this endangered genre of Indigenous Australian music through showcasing examples of Ngurlu ‘Seed’ and Watiyawarnu ‘Acacia tenuissima’ yawulyu sung by Warlpiri women from Yuendumu, Willowra and Alekerenge. This exhibition also features artwork and photographs of Warlpiri women singing, painting up and dancing these yawulyu.

This exhibition is at the Conservatorium Library from 6 August – 6 October.

Exhibition: Music in and from Chinese-Speaking Communities

Posted on by Library Communications
Photo by Dr Catherine Ingram

The Conservatorium Library will showcase Dr Catherine Ingram’s research in the upcoming exhibition Music in and from Chinese-Speaking Communities: New Research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

When: 14 August-13 October

Where: Conservatorium Library glass cases

The exhibition encompasses the cultural connections between Australia and Chinese-speaking communities and their descendants of research engagement with music in and from Chinese-speaking communities conducted by staff and students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The exhibition builds on the centuries-old cultural connections between Australia and Chinese-speaking communities and their descendants, presenting new research relating to music in and from Chinese-speaking communities conducted by staff and students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music

In particular, it will feature Chinese musical instruments and ensemble,  exploring areas of learning, teaching and performance of these instruments and groups in China and Australia. Other recent projects included in the exhibit are studies of China’s incredible ‘piano craze’, the significance of music in spectacular new Buddhist rituals in Taiwan, and the critically under-documented music of the Kam (or Dong) minority people in southwest China.

Launch event

You are invited to attend the launch on 23 August at 3.30pm, which will include light refreshments and short solo performances featuring Chinese instruments.