The Feilman Foundation First Fleet Restoration PhD Scholarship
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) has become the custodian of one of the world’s most important collection of 18th and 19th century keyboards
The Feilman Foundation First Fleet Restoration PhD Scholarship will be responsible for documenting and researching the restoration of these historic pianos, including extensive engagement with master restorers, technicians, and instrument- builders. The goals of the scholarships are to:
- Document the restoration and replica processes, according to the priorities of the Founding Pianos project;
- Travel with the objects to get a firsthand experience of how restorers and piano makers undertake their craft;
- Capture technical skills at risk of being lost, research lost historical processes, and investigate possible modern technological solutions;
- Investigation and evaluation of the efficacy of the restoration process as demonstrated in performance and recording (of the candidate and/or others), with consideration of the subtleties of historically-informed performance practices;
- Contribute to the establishment of a technician’s workshop in WA, and a historic keyboard museum. The scholarship provides a stipend of $35,000 per annum and a research budget of $15,000 per annum (primarily for travel costs), for up to four years.
Requirements
This project requires cross-disciplinary enquiry, including (but not limited to) performing arts, historical studies, and curatorial and related studies. This project requires cross-disciplinary enquiry, including (but not limited to) performing arts, historical studies, and curatorial and related studies. The successful candidate is expected to be primarily resident in Perth, be willing to study full-time, to comply with ECU’s standard scholarship conditions, and must be willing to undertake extensive travel as part of the project, in order to document restoration and replica-building that may take place overseas. A generous travel funding budget is provided as part of the scholarship. Applicants must apply through ECU’s online scholarship application portal, and must simultaneously apply for the PhD program, providing all required documentation, in addition to addressing special requirements of The Feilman Foundation First Fleet Restoration PhD Scholarship. The successful candidate would be expected to meet minimum entry requirements for the PhD. A successful track record of research publication and/or vocational experience in a closely-aligned professional field is highly desirable.
About the Collection
Donated by Stewart Symonds and enhanced by fellow collector David Forward, the Stewart Symonds Keyboard Collection is comprised of instruments that are the last remaining pieces of their kind globally, holding significant historical importance. Now preserved for posterity at Edith Cowan University, the Collection comprises 140 instruments. It offers a wide selection of exceptionally rare – in some instances, unique – stringed keyboard instruments dating from 1736 to 1874. One such instrument is the First Fleet Piano, which arrived in Australia on board the flagship vessel HMS Sirius, and is the first keyboard instrument played on Australian soil.
Eligibility guidelines
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
- be an Australian citizen;
- meet the minimum entry requirements for the PhD;
- not already hold a research doctoral degree;
- be planning to undertake a research project under ECU's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2019; and
- not be in receipt of another major scholarship;
How to apply
- Application is made via the ECU Online Scholarship Application Portal. Access to the portal is available between application opening and closing dates.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/795246/FP-Flyer_Feilman-Scholarship.pdf