Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) Celebrates NAIDOC Week

In celebration of NAIDOC Week (7–14 July), we are reflecting back to the early days of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM). Founded in 1972 through a collaboration between ethnomusicologist Catherine Ellis and acclaimed Ngarrindjeri poet, Leila Ranking, CASM responds to the learning needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students, offering state-of-the-art learning opportunities. The students are activity involved in a variety of composition, production, rehearsing, recording and performance activities even outside of the uni.

In the 80s, CASM students began focusing on creating original music and formed ground-breaking musicians and bands including No Fixed Address, Us Mob, Coloured Stone, and Kuckles. To this day, CASM thrives on deep connections with students and communities outside of Kaurna country, including the Anangu community at Iwantja.

Graduates of the centre have led successful careers and have won international recognition and awards for their music. More recent alumni include Electric Fields' very own Zaachariaha Fielding, Ellie Lovegrove and Simi Vuata, who are all widely acclaimed performing artists.

Our current students have had incredible opportunities to perform their original work at many festivals and community events, as well as recently performing in both Hawaii and New York. During NAIDOC Week, CASM student Aaron Fraser and alumni Myles Turner performed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (pictured below).

CASM isn't only a highly dedicated entry program to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples wanting to study at university, but a place where Kaurna arts, community and culture can be celebrated. CASM is currently working alongside Kaurna language consultants to revamp and expand the Kaurna Song Book after 30 years since the original was made. This educational resource will include old and new songs written and translated into both language and English, produced and recorded primarily by local Kaurna musicians.