The resources and links to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and teachers found on these pages have been compiled by ASME Queensland and are provided to assist primary, secondary and tertiary teachers and students as well as to inform music lovers. The list is by no means exhaustive and can be considered a starting point for teachers, students and music lovers to engage with the rich knowledge and practice of First Nations musicians and educators across Australia. Building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially Elders who are custodians of the land on which your school is situated, is a crucial part of this journey.
Protocols for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
When including Aboriginal or Torres Strait knowledges, it is vital that teachers and students:
- Acknowledge Country – paying respect to the land, language and traditional custodians of your region; and
- Acknowledge the traditional custodians of the region that the music, language or knowledge is from; and
- Engage with the stories and knowledges to deepen the students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Indigenous musicians, composers, choirs and publications
Candace Kruger
- AMEB Online Orchestra – Indigenous song in 2021 “Morning star, Evening star” – https://onlineorchestra.ameb.edu.au
- Yugambeh Choir – Indigenous Youth Choir conducted by Candace Kruger
William Barton
- Artist Website: https://www.williambarton.com.au/about-william-barton
Deborah Cheetham
- Dhungala Choral Connection songbook – a collection of songs based on specific tribal lands in Victoria. Class sets of the songbook, CD and teacher’s manual available.
- Melbourne Music Summit | Deborah Cheetham: Meet me at the Barricade
- ISME Thought Leader Session: Deborah Cheetham in conversation with Margaret Barrett & Susan O’Neill
- Eumarella – A War Requiem. Oratorio for solos, choir and orchestra, sung in language telling the story of the frontier wars and massacre in Victoria
- “Woven Song” Contemporary chamber music
- Dhungala choir – Indigenous children’s choir conducted by Deborah Cheetham
Gregg Dreise
- Artist Website: https://www.greggdreise.com.au/
- Author and illustrator of award-winning children’s books “Silly Birds”, “Kookoo Kookaburra” and “Mad Magpie”.
David Page – Bangarra Dance Theatre
- Artist Website: https://www.bangarra.com.au
Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse
- Artist Website: http://www.ginawilliams.com.au
- “Kalyakoorl, ngalak warangka – Forever, we sing” Western Australia songbook in Noongar language Magabala Books
Jessie Lloyd
- Mission Songs Project: Starting in 2015, Mission Songs Project explores the human reality of the ‘missions era’, where Aboriginal people were forcibly removed from their homelands and moved onto missions. In a time of great distress, these truthful songs are surprisingly filled with optimism and hope, revealing a forgotten story on an unexplored corner of Australian history.
David Hudson
- Artist Website: http://www.davidhudson.com.au
- E-Learning Resources Composer Profile: A series of videos and resources pages on e-lr.com.au that cover composing for didgeridoo and Hudson’s original compositions.
Gurrumul
- Artist Website: http://www.gurrumul.com/
Gondwana Indigenous Choir
- Based in Cairns, part of Gondwana choirs, conducted by Lyn Williams
Marliya Choir
- More advanced Indigenous choir in Gondwana choirs
Madjitil Moorna Inc
- A community choir in Perth that sings in language, resources tab on web site.
Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter
- Artist Website: https://www.archieroach.com
Joe Gier
- Artist Website: https://joegeia.com.au/?v=13b249c5dfa9
Coloured Stone
- Band from South Australia: https://www.facebook.com/ColouredStoneOfficialPage
WA Willandra Primary School Indigenous Choir
- Jane Nicholas – Teacher and Conductor
Professional Learning Material
SBS On Demand
- “Looky Looky Here comes Cooky” – Australian history from an Indigenous perspective
- Available to stream from SBS OnDemand
- Support material from Screen Australia
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office
- The NATSIMO, an initiative of the music Rights Management Organisations APRA AMCOS, for reasons of parity and of course the privacy of our members, do not supply lists of members or contact details to external parties.
The Politics of Diversity in Music Education
- Edited by Alexis Anja Kallio, Heidi Westerlund, Sidsel Karlsen, Kathryn Marsh, Eva Saether. Published by Springer. Available for free download:
Wingaru Aboriginal Education
- Wingaru develops and delivers programs and resources to support schools and teachers in the classroom, as well as organisations wanting to increase cultural competency in the workplace.
TIPIAC
- Teaching Indigenous Perspectives In the Australian Curriculum was born out of the need for more Indigenous resources and lesson plans in Australian schools.
TribalLink
- Triballink is a 100% Aboriginal owned company, delivering high quality and authentic Indigenous Educational activities, aids, resources and services whilst keeping true to our cultural values.
