Renowned violinist and Australian Chamber Orchestra artistic director Richard Tognetti has delivered a scathing rebuke of the Australian National University’s proposal to dissolve its School of Music, labelling the move an “act of cultural vandalism.”
Speaking to a full house at ANU’s Llewelyn Hall, Tognetti expressed deep concern over the institution’s future, warning that absorbing the school into a broader creative faculty would strip it of its identity and purpose. “When the tuition stops, the music stops,” he cautioned.
All cuts, at all Unis, should be stopped until the rot at the top of every single one of them has been thoroughly examined. https://t.co/bZolDvaYkw
— Michael McDonnell (@HstyMattersSyd) August 14, 2025
The restructuring is part of ANU’s attempt to address a $250 million budget shortfall, but critics argue the decision prioritises short-term economics over long-term cultural investment. Tognetti likened the move to “burning down a national park to save on upkeep,” urging university leadership to halt the plan and consult with independent experts.
The Canberra Symphony Orchestra echoed his alarm, warning that dismantling the program would irreparably harm the city’s cultural infrastructure.
Despite ANU’s assertion that it is reshaping music education for modern realities, many believe the move risks erasing a crucial national institution. As Tognetti wrote in a letter to ANU leadership, “Once lost, it won’t be rebuilt.”
