Let Our Songs Speak for Us

Celebrating 50 years of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music.

Let Our Songs Speak for Us is a free exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM), the only dedicated university centre for studies in Australian Indigenous music. It is one of the country’s longest-lasting Indigenous performing arts organisations teaching music with a history of uplifting community and impacting society for over half a century.

Based in the Elder Conservatorium of Music, CASM’s Foundation Year program is a dedicated entryway program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians on their path to study at university.

The exhibition features 68 pieces of original artwork and historical artifacts including a six-metre stage backdrop, which was painted at the Port Lincoln Come Out Festival in 1979 and used for numerous CASM band performances. The backdrop features the original CASM logo, designed by Lardil artist Dick Roughsey. Also on display is a Fender precision bass guitar from 1980, used during the period when CASM developed iconic bands such as Us Mob, No Fixed Address, Kuckles and Coloured Stone and the only known remaining instrument from the early years of CASM, and CASM Showcase posters created by students in collaboration with staff members to advertise their performances from 1997 to 2015.

The Centre was founded on equality and respect for cultural difference through a partnership between ethnomusicologist Catherine Ellis, and acclaimed Ngarrindjeri poet Leila Rankine.

“Through music, let us raise our voices to tell the world of our constant struggle for survival in our own land. Black musicians and songwriters are important to the Aboriginal cause. Music opens avenues for communication. Let our songs speak for us,” said Auntie Leila Rankine in 1979.

CASM’s initial role recognised music’s vital purpose in traditional Aboriginal societies and helped connect Aboriginal people living in cities with traditional culture through music. Their early programs built on deep exchanges with the A nangu community at Iwantja (formerly Indulkana). Teaching methods focused on Indigenous ways of learning, with the expertise of Elders formally recognised through academic appointments.

The exhibition was created from a partnership between CASM – the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music at the University of Adelaide and the Barr Smith Library where it is being held, supported by the City of Adelaide Council.

Exhibition running until 2 June 2023

Location:

Ira Raymond Exhibition Room, Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide, Kaurna Yerta

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm

FREE admission

Opposite page: Grayson Rotumah (left), Director CASM and Jardine Kiwat (right), Alumni and former lecturer at CASM at the opening of LetOurSongs SpeakforUs This page, from top: CASM Showcase posters (1997–2015): To advertise their performances, CASM students created these posters in collaboration with staff; Stage Backdrop (1979): with logo designed by Lardil artist, Dick Roughsey, this six-metre backdrop was painted at Port Lincoln Come Out Festival and used for numerous CASM band performances; Fender precision bass guitar (1980): Dating from a period when CASM developed iconic bands such as Us Mob, No Fixed Address, Kuckles and Coloured Stone, this Bass is the only known remaining instrument from the early years of CASM.