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This book presents a social history of the violin in Australia from 1788 to 1914, exploring its pivotal role in colonial society and influence on local music-making and culture. It provides scholars with new insights into how musical instruments like the violin were used to navigate and express social boundaries within a colonial framework.
List of contents
INTRODUCTION: SETTING THE STAGE, 1. GENTEEL GENTRY - AMATEUR VIOLINISTS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1788-1850 2. TAVERN TUNES - FIDDLERS AND DANCE MASTERS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1788-1860 3. VIRTUOSIC VOYAGERS - PIONEERING SOLOIST VIOLINISTS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1822-1885 4. FROM MOZART TO MINSTREL - ENSEMBLE VIOLINISTS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1840-1890 5. CULTURAL CONTINUATION - INDIGENOUS ENCOUTERS WITH THE EUROPEAN VIOLIN 6. BREAKING BOUNDARIES - WOMEN AND THE VIOLIN IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA BETWEEN 1870-1914, CONCLUSION: THE VIOLIN'S LEGACY IN AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
About the author
Laura Case is a lecturer in musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, specialising in the social and cultural history of music in Australia. Her research focuses on the violin, cross-cultural interactions, and feminist perspectives. A Wiradjuri woman with mixed settler heritage from Central West New South Wales, Laura uses music to reframe Indigenous histories and reclaim Indigenous knowledge.
With over 20 years of experience as a violinist, Laura has both performed and taught extensively. She recently featured on Aboriginal rapper DOBBY's album
Warrangu and Uncle Roger Knox's forthcoming album. Laura is also a regular member of Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's
Ensemble Dutala, performing at notable venues like the City Recital Hall in Sydney and the Garma Festival of Traditional Knowledges in Northeast Arnhem Land.
