Entity titleSir Zelman Cowen School of MusicEntity identifier144Entity typeAgencyDate range2012 - DescriptionThe Department of Music was established within the Faculty of Arts in 1965. From 1965 to 1988, teaching and research concentrated on musicology and ethnomusicology (especially Indigenous Australian, Southeast Asian and South Asian music) but performance courses taught only Indonesian gamelan.
From 1989 - 1997, the Department expanded its operations to teach and research music performance and composition as well as musicology and ethnomusicology. In 1991 the Department started an interfaculty orchestra for its own and other students and members of the community. Students of all faculties, on successful audition, were allowed to play in the orchestra for credit toward most degrees offered by the university. The orchestra later became known as the New Monash Orchestra.
The Department has admitted performance and composition students into its Bachelor of Music program from 1993. It also maintained a strong post-graduate school.
The university established a Monash Arts Precinct on the Clayton campus in which to promote its musical and other performing arts activities. As the Precinct developed, the Department's new home - the Performing Arts Centre - was established and provided a 250-seat Music Auditorium, Drama Theatre, practice rooms, and various teaching rooms, including the Asian Orchestras Room for the Department's Indonesian and Thai orchestras.
Beginning in 1993, the Department developed and promoted several large ensembles, including Viva Voce (mixed choir), Monash Sinfonia (a string orchestra), Monash Women's Choir, and Monash Wind Symphony. Re-sound (a contemporary music ensemble) was founded in 1996.
In 2000 the Department of Music became the School of Music - Conservatorium, teaching courses in professional practice for musicians, including instrumental and vocal pedagogy in the three year undergraduate course. The school was renamed the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music in September 2012.
