With access to world-class teaching, performance opportunities, and specialist resources, our students have the chance to refine their talent, reach their full potential and prepare for a dynamic career in the music industry. But excellence in music education is only possible with the support of a generous community.
By giving to the Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts, you are investing in the next generation of artists, educators, and creative leaders. Your gift helps students pursue their passion, expand their skills, and bring music and theatre to audiences who will be inspired for years to come.
As one of Australia’s oldest and most distinguished tertiary music schools, the Elder Conservatorium and School of Performing Arts plays a leading role in the nation’s musical landscape, with graduates securing roles in leading music theatre productions, leading international orchestras, and in numerous other professional and educational contexts worldwide. Our wide-ranging curriculum embraces classical, jazz, popular, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies in music, and music theatre – ensuring every student can grow as a performer, creator, educator, or researcher.
Your support today nurtures the future of world-class music education and empowers students to share the gift of music with the world.
Join the Elder Conservatorium Circle
The Elder Conservatorium Circle brings together a community of generous supporters who share a deep passion for music and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists, performers and educators.
Members of the Circle provide leadership in philanthropy. Their support, advocacy and engagement have a tangible impact on the Conservatorium’s ability to deliver world-class music education, foster creativity, and inspire excellence among students. In appreciation of their commitment, Circle members enjoy a close connection with the Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Music and are invited to engage with staff, students and fellow supporters at special gatherings, rehearsals and performances; moments that bring to life the impact of their giving.
Shape the future of music
Circle membership is offered in recognition of a significant level of annual support. You may wish to make a general gift or direct your gift to a particular area, including:
- scholarships
- support for teaching or students in each of the areas of study including classical, jazz, music theatre and popular music
- music production
For further information, please contact our Advancement team on
- Phone: (08) 8313 5800
- Email: give@adelaide.edu.au
History
The Elder Conservatorium of Music was formally constituted in 1898 as the result of a major philanthropic bequest from the will of Scottish-Australian pastoralist, Sir Thomas Elder. It was the first music conservatorium in the country – one of the oldest in the Southern hemisphere – and is regarded as the heart of South Australia’s music culture.
An earlier philanthropic donation from Elder had helped to establish the Elder Professorship of Music in 1883, with the first incumbent, Joshua Ives, taking up the position the following year.
The Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts has continued to grow in prestige, size and scope to become a truly Australian, 21st century music training institution.
Elder Hall, named after Sir Thomas Elder, was the first building constructed at the University of Adelaide, as a result of his philanthropy. The University Council decided that half of his final bequest would be used to establish a Conservatorium of Music and the other half to erect a building to house it. This would enable the training of world-class musicians and provide an important venue for public concerts.
The foundation stone for Elder Hall was laid by Governor Buxton with great ceremony on 26 September 1898. Elder Hall was unofficially opened with a concert on 27 April 1900, with the official opening held on 26 September 1900 and attended by the new governor, Lord Tennyson.