The Australian National University will retain the School of Music in its current structure, abandoning its proposal to merge it into a broader School of Creative and Cultural Practice, following extensive consultation on its College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) organisational changes.
The decision is outlined in the CASS Implementation Plan released today, which received more than 1,100 submissions from staff, students and stakeholders across Australia and overseas. ANU says higher-than-expected voluntary separations and managed vacancies have strengthened its financial position, allowing it to revise elements of the original change proposal.
Dean of CASS Professor Bronwyn Parry said the University had listened to strong community concern about the future of the School of Music.
“We are pleased to confirm the continuation of the School of Music in its current structure,” she said. “Performance remains at the heart of the School, and that’s not changing.”
As part of its renewed commitment to performance education, ANU will establish a new Performance+ Hub from 2026. Students will be able to audition for additional one-on-one instrumental or vocal tuition on top of ensemble work, group learning and live performance opportunities.
A redesigned Bachelor of Music will introduce a new Major in Music Practice, combining the former Performance and Composition majors into a flexible program that allows students to specialise, combine disciplines or work across contemporary music production, technology and composition.
Advocacy groups welcomed the outcome, calling it a major turnaround from earlier proposals.
The School of Music Advocacy Roundtable, formed earlier this year in response to widespread concern about the changes, said the announcement was “good news for cultural life in the Canberra region and for music lovers across Australia”.
Roundtable Chair Robyn Hendry praised ANU for recognising the importance of one-to-one tuition and ensemble-based learning.
“ANU has taken creative leadership to keep music practice at the heart of the university,” she said.
The Canberra Symphony Orchestra also welcomed the decision, with CEO Rachel Thomas saying the move protects the pipeline of emerging musicians.
“This extremely positive outcome is the result of our community coming together to fight for an institution they hold dear,” she said.
ANU said the Implementation Plan preserves academic excellence across CASS, strengthens key cultural institutions such as the Australian Dictionary of Biography and the Australian National Dictionary Centre, and supports staff and students through the transition.
