‘USQ had a greatreputation. Nowthe whole placeis broken.

— Anna Marangelli

,

THE University of SouthernQueensland might be “realisingits potential”, but Bachelor ofMusic student Jessica Maskellsays it has destroyed her future.Jessica is angry about cuts tothe music program which willdrivemanyofher fellowstudentsto Brisbane, where the Queens-land Conservatorium of Musichas offered them places.“The opportunities just aren’there at USQ anymore,” she said.“I’m extremely angry becausestudents weren’t given anywarning that these changesweregoing to happen.“I would like to ask the vice-chancellor to understand thatchanges might be made becauseof budgets, but those changes af-fect real people.”Jessica is in the final year of adegree specialising in voice andhad planned to undertake theUSQ honours programnext year.This extra study, she said, is ne-cessary for any performers keento get a foothold into a highlycompetitive industry.But those plans are on hold.“There is no point in doing thehonours program here anymorebecause it has been changed to ageneral “creative arts” course(at both degree and post-grad le-vels) which is not specific to ourneeds (the Masters level pro-gram has apparently been abol-ished altogether),” Jessica said.“The USQ has always had agreat reputation for the standardof performers it produced— thatwas one of the reasons so manyof us came here.“I have been approached bythe Con to finish my studies

there, and I knowmany people inmy course are considering thatoffer. Certainly some of the stu-dents feel they will be in a betterposition career-wise if they go.”Sharing Jessica’s concern overthe introduction of a creativearts course is chief executive andartistic director of OperaQueensland, Chris Mangin.While USQ andOperaQueens-land have long shared a produc-tive relationship, he said that“may not be the case in future”.“I find this news disturbing,”Mr Mangin said.“USQhas done very goodworkin the past, but they have chosennot to have a conversation withus about this decision.“In my experience, wherethere is non-specificity in acourse, you prepare the studentsfor nothing. A fleeting connec-tion does not set students up towork in this industry.”USQ’s Faculty of Arts asso-ciate dean and senior lecturer inmusic Rhoderick McNeill deniedclaims that the course changeswould result in a lower qualityprogram, or impact on career op-portunities for graduates.“I believe we will be providinga very similar standard to whatwe’ve provided in the past,” DrMcNeill said.“Practical elements of thecourse are unchanged, and nowallows for composition and mus-icality; themainareaof change isin music theory. Students willhave plenty of opportunities toreach professional standards,particularly in opera.”The mixed messages and con-fusion surrounding the coursechanges have left students angryand fearful, according to secondyear Bachelor of Music studentAnna Marangelli.She said with “subjects beingscrapped, staff leaving left, right

and centre, and classes just nothappening”, USQ had become anunstable learning environment.“It’s just an absolute joke —no-one knows what’s going on,not even the lecturers,” Annasaid.“USQ had a great reputation.Now the whole place is broken.”A commonconcern among stu-dents was the possible abolitionof productions which showcaseUSQ to the community, and bringstudents to the campus.

Low note: music students no

Angry USQ Bachelor of Music students (back, from left) Calista Walters, Anna Marangelli, Kaitlyn Orange, Katie Pradaland, front, Amy Seligmann and Jessica Maskell. PICTURE: NEVILLE MADSEN

Anger at cuts whichwill affect ‘real people’

By MERRYL MILLERmerrylm@thechronicle.com.au

4 The Chronicle, Thursday, May 22, 2008 www.thechronicle.com.au

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LOCAL NEWS

A BACHELOR of Creative Arts degreewill next year replace the range ofspecialist degrees offered at USQ.However, the head of the CreativeArts School assured The Chronicleyesterday that students would not bedisadvantaged.“One degree will house music, crea-tive media, visual arts, acting andtheatre and that will replace all thespecific, separate degrees that havegone before,” Dr Janet McDonald said.“But people shouldn’t panic becausewe will still cater for discipline-specificstudents that want to bury themselvesin one creative art, but this way theycan also study other areas if theychoose.“It’s just more efficient,” she said.

Second-year stagemanagement studentChris Horne said hewas looking forward tothe changes next year.“I think it makessense,” he said.“If students want tospecialise in one dis-cipline they still can, but if they want totry, for example, a bit of visual arts aswell this will give them the opportunityto do that,” he said.Dr McDonald also confirmed that thepopular Shakespeare in the Park wouldbe running next year.She said while there had been a lot ofmixed public opinion about the coursechanges, the best way for the public tosupport the Creative Arts School wasto buy tickets and go and see theshows.

Creative change to degrees

Chris Horne

By JIM CAMPBELLjim.campbell@thechronicle.com.au