On Monday 17 February 2025, the Sydney Conservatorium Students’ Association gave a Student Culture Presentation to the incoming first-year cohort of students to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the music school of the University of Sydney.
This presentation provided an introduction to the various student organisations at the University, the Indigenous and colonial history of the institution, the social, representative, and work of the Association, and the various routes for support and welfare whilst studying. This introduction is similar to that of the Students’ Representative Council and University of Sydney Union, who also introduced their organisations and the services they provide to students.
We are aware that one slide within the presentation has caused immense distress amongst members of the Jewish community, and to them we sincerely apologise and express our remorse for our mistake. As a student union, our cause and history has been solely by and for students of the Conservatorium of Music, representing and advocating for them since our establishment in 1919.
We absolutely condemn all forms of racism and discrimination within our community, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, and it never was our intention to target any specific communities. Our stance has always been for the betterment of our community, and the future of our students that will continue the Conservatorium’s focus on the joy of music-making within Australia.
The entirety of contents from this slide came from a previously published statement made on 23 October 2023 about the war in Gaza. This statement was written in-part and informed by Jewish members of our executive. It was voted upon by our Representative Council, and was signed-off by then President and current Secretary Alexander Poirier.
We need to note the context of the slide, where it was situated within the section about support and resources for students. This section included information about the free-period products on offer at the Conservatorium, disability support, how to report sexual misconduct, and other immediate relevant pieces of information for students.
This is why we included information on our position towards the conflict, being something that students are undoubtedly going to face at the University, and we wanted to make it intensely clear that we will not accept any form of discrimination at our school of music. It is the role of artists to showcase the recognition of humanity, and it is the role of a student union to support its students; we understand that it is not our place to find a solution to the conflict, nor is it within our power to do so.
This aforementioned statement opened with these words, something to which we still firmly hold and believe:
The Conservatorium is home to a large number of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian musicians, many of whom have familial and other close connections to Holocaust survivors and Palestinian people. It is our highest priority to ensure that the wellbeing of students is at the forefront of discussions.
The Association are not the ones to bring about the solution to this - we would be foolish to think we do - but as artists and storytellers we can push for the recognition of humanity, to not conflate civilians with their governments, and to support those within our community who may be affected by this.
We do not tolerate any racism or bigotry against any of these groups, and as such we shall do what we can to ensure that our school of music remains a safe place for expression of self and culture for all.
We have always been firm on rejecting any form of racism or bigotry, and this was greatly emphasised multiple times within the presentation, including that if students had any concerns with anything on campus surrounding this topic, to please come to us, and we would do everything within our power to help them find the support.
We want to also acknowledge that there is rising antisemitism in Sydney and the world at large, with increasing numbers of attacks on Jewish schools, workplaces, and synagogues. We had meant to try and address this directly within our presentation, whilst helping people understand that antisemitism is being bolstered because of the current public perception. This was unfortunately an oversight on our behalf, of which was not intended in any way.
Instead of creating a place where everyone is welcome to create their art, something which can bring all people together, we created division and unintentionally phrased our presentation in a way that seemingly put the blame on Jewish people, not a government.
We are sincerely regretful that the way this was presented on the slide, which has caused significant distress for many members of the Jewish Community, especially within the Conservatorium, and to them, we offer our deepest apologies.
Signatories
Theresa Xiao, President
Jessica Smith, Vice-President
Alexander Poirier, Secretary
Media
For media enquiries, please contact Association Secretary Alexander Poirier at secretary@usydcsa.org.