Cambridge Music School records.

The Cambridge Music School was established in 1945 after musician, composer and promoter Owen Jensen persuaded the Regional Council of Adult Education to set up a summer school for performers and listeners at St Peters School, Cambridge. The summer school began in 1946 and was co-ordinated by Auckland University College. Writer and music critic Dorothea Turner described the initial school as ‘so highly representative that it seemed to be the whole musical world in miniature’.

Jensen directed the first 12 schools but later resigned in 1957 after clashing with the new Director of Adult Education, Stewart Morrison. Morrison acted as caretaker for the school until 1965 when Ronald Dellow took over as Director, a position he held until the school’s closure in 1989.

For 22 years Dellow planned and directed the school in both a tutorial and administrative capacity. In 1960 he also established the Community Arts Services (CAS) Singers whose main purpose was to perform choral music in the smaller, rural centres of the Auckland University College district. The group was disestablished in 1964 but during its time presented 92 recitals and 18 broadcasts.

During the same year the Council of Adult Education became the Department of University Extension. This change meant that universities no longer required the input of regional councils and could deliver adult education programmes as they wanted. In 1972 the department changed its name for a second time to the Centre for Continuing Education to better reflect the variety of courses offered.

In addition to the Cambridge Music School, a short residential school named the Hamilton Vacation Music School began in 1969 and was held during August rather than over the summer break. The school’s venue was Hamilton Boys High School and was first run on behalf of the University of Auckland Centre for Continuing Education, but in 1982 came under the control of the University of Waikato. John Rosser took over as Director in the mid-1990s and the school celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1999.

Although the Hamilton Vacation Music School ran into the late 1990s the Cambridge Music School did not fare as well. Due to declining financial support from the Government the National Council of Adult Education was put into recess in 1986 and was disestablished in 1990. In turn loss of funding impacted upon the Cambridge Music School and when the projected 41st Cambridge Music School failed to break even in enrolment the school was disestablished in 1989.

References

Ronald Dellow Music Trust. (2005). Ronald Dellow 29.9.1924-12.4.2004: a “pen portrait” of an exceptional Auckland musician. Auckland, N.Z.: Ronald Dellow Music Trust (NZGC 78 D35Y).

Pollock, K. Adult education : growth of adult education, 1940s to 1970s, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 28-Jul-15.Retrieved from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/adult-education/page-3.

University of Auckland. (1972-2010). Continuing education courses. Auckland, N.Z.: University of Auckland, Centre for Continuing Education (NZGC 378.95 A89e 1972).

University of Auckland Centre for Continuing Education records. MSS & Archives E-23, item 299D. ‘Historical notes and personal recollections re residential music schools and University adult education programmes, October 1989’ / Ronald G. Dellow. Special Collections, University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services.