Australian Music Centre
Australia's national service organisation for art music, supporting composers, sound artists, performers, researchers and educators.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
The Australian Music Centre (AMC) is a national Australian organisation dedicated to the promotion, documentation and development of art music and related contemporary practices. Established in 1974 with support from the Australia Council for the Arts, it was created to improve access to Australian composition, provide professional services to creators and performers, and make Australian music more visible nationally and internationally. James Murdoch served as its inaugural director. The organisation began with a library and information service built around Australian scores, recordings and other music resources. Its initial focus was contemporary classical music, but its remit has broadened over time to include experimental music, sound art, contemporary jazz, improvisation and related interdisciplinary practices. The AMC functions primarily as a service and advocacy organisation rather than as a professional membership association. It represents and promotes Australian composers, improvisers and sound artists, while also supporting performers, presenters, teachers, researchers and institutions seeking information about Australian repertoire. Its activities have included maintaining a substantial collection of scores, recordings and educational materials; providing information and publishing services; supporting career development and professional practice; advocating for Australian creators; and distributing information about performances, commissions, recordings and other opportunities. By 2017, its repository contained approximately 13,000 items associated with around 660 creators. By 2020, the organisation represented more than 750 composers and sound artists, according to the reference material. As digitisation expanded, much of the collection became available online, reducing the centrality of the physical library while increasing the reach of the organisation's catalogue and information services. The AMC has also developed a publishing and media role. Its early newsletter, AMC News, was followed by the print magazine Sounds Australian. In 2007, the print journal was replaced by Resonate Magazine, an online publication covering Australian art music, creators, works, performances and related issues. The organisation established an online presence in 1993 and launched a substantially revised website in 2009, reinforcing its role as a national information hub. The centre has periodically operated recording and label initiatives. During the late 1980s, the Vox Australis record label and recording projects based in Melbourne were established under the broader Sounds Australian period. These activities complemented the AMC's documentation and promotional mission, although the organisation's central identity has remained service provision, representation and cultural advocacy rather than commercial recorded-music publishing. The AMC is a national section of the International Society for Contemporary Music and a member of international music-information and library networks, including the International Association of Music Information Centres and the International Association of Music Libraries. It co-hosts the Art Music Awards with APRA AMCOS. The awards recognise achievements by Australian composers, performers and educators across contemporary classical music, jazz, improvisation, sound art and experimental music. Artist-development work has included AMPlify, launched at the end of 2015, and later the Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers program. Ngarra-Burria was developed with Moogahlin Performing Arts, the ANU School of Music, Ensemble Offspring and the Royal Australian Navy Band, with financial support from APRA AMCOS and in-kind support from EORA College of TAFE. The initiative provided a structured platform for Indigenous Australian composers and reflected the AMC's broader expansion beyond a narrow contemporary-classical remit. The organisation has moved between several Sydney locations. It relocated to the Metcalfe Bond Stores building in George Street in 1975, moved to Smail Street in Ultimo in 1986, relocated to The Arts Exchange in The Rocks in 2000, and moved to the APRA building on Mountain Street in 2013. Funding has principally come from the Australia Council for the Arts, now Creative Australia. Funding reductions, particularly around 2012 and 2013, created operational pressure, while support was reported as secured for the 2021–2024 period. The AMC remains an active national platform for Australian art music and associated contemporary sound practices.
History
The Australian Music Centre was established in 1974 as the Australia Music Centre, following the availability of funding through the Australia Council for the Arts. Music advocate James Murdoch became its inaugural director. The organisation was created to address the limited availability of information, scores, recordings and institutional support for Australian art music, and to promote the work of Australian composers to performers, presenters, educators and audiences. In 1975, the centre moved to 80 George Street in Sydney, within the historic Metcalfe Bond Stores building. It joined the International Association of Music Information Centres and the International Association of Music Libraries, linking the new Australian organisation with international networks concerned with the preservation and circulation of contemporary music. The centre was officially opened to the public on 27 February 1976. During its early years it developed a library and information service, published the AMC News newsletter and administered an Australia Council and APRA parts-copying scheme. Peggy Glanville-Hicks was appointed as a consultant for Asian music in 1976, reflecting an interest in regional musical exchange. The organisation experienced a period of dormancy in 1981. It reopened to the public on 3 September 1982 after Joan Bona was appointed administrator. In 1986, its official name changed from Australia Music Centre to Australian Music Centre, and it moved to premises in Smail Street, Ultimo. A recording project was announced with studios in Melbourne. Under executive director Richard Letts, appointed in 1987, the centre expanded its promotional and publishing profile. The Vox Australis label, the Sounds Australian magazine and annual music awards were among the initiatives associated with this period. At the end of 1989, the organisation adopted the name Sounds Australian. The name remained in use for approximately a decade, during which the organisation continued its role in collecting, documenting and promoting Australian composition. Its activities extended beyond conventional library services into recording, publishing, awards and broader public advocacy. In 1993, it established an online presence, beginning a long transition toward digital access. The organisation moved to The Arts Exchange in The Rocks in 2000, close to its original George Street location. In 2002, it worked with APRA to present the Classical Music Awards, continuing an awards tradition that had begun under the Sounds Australian banner. The print journal Sounds Australian was replaced by the online Resonate Magazine in 2007. A new website launched on 31 March 2009, improving online access to the organisation's catalogue, creator information and resources. In 2011, the AMC and APRA AMCOS introduced the Art Music Awards. The awards broadened the recognition framework to include contemporary classical music, jazz, improvisation, sound art and experimental music, and recognised not only composers but also performers and educators. The organisation later moved to the APRA building on Mountain Street in 2013. Around this period, many physical materials were transferred to off-site storage as an increasing proportion of the collection became accessible digitally. At the end of 2015, the AMC launched AMPlify, a group of initiatives designed to support artist development. These efforts included programs for Indigenous Australian composers. A later successor initiative, Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers, was developed in partnership with Moogahlin Performing Arts, the ANU School of Music, Ensemble Offspring and the Royal Australian Navy Band. APRA AMCOS provided funding support and EORA College of TAFE contributed in-kind support. The program demonstrated the AMC's expanding commitment to Indigenous creative practice and to a more inclusive conception of Australian contemporary music. For much of its history, the AMC's principal public funding has come from the Australia Council for the Arts, which became Creative Australia in 2023. Funding reductions, notably around 2012–2013, created difficulties, but support was reported as secured for 2021–2024. John Davis served as chief executive for 32 years before leaving in 2021, when Catherine Haridy succeeded him. Marshall McGuire became chair of the board in the same year. The AMC currently operates as a national service organisation for Australian composers, improvisers and sound artists. Its work combines collection management, online information, publishing, advocacy, professional development, artist support and awards. The organisation's collection has included Australian scores, recordings and teaching kits, and its represented community has grown beyond contemporary classical composition to encompass experimental, improvised, jazz and sound-art practices. Through its website, Resonate Magazine, Art Music Awards and development programs, it serves as an important connection point between Australian creators and the wider music sector.
- 2021
Leadership transition
[1]Catherine Haridy succeeded John Davis as chief executive, while Marshall McGuire became board chair.
- 2015
AMPlify launched
[1]The AMC introduced artist-development programs, including initiatives connected with Indigenous composers.
- 2011
Art Music Awards introduced
[1]The AMC and APRA AMCOS began the Art Music Awards.
- 2007
Resonate launched
[1]The online Resonate Magazine superseded the print Sounds Australian journal.
- 1993
Online presence established
[1]The AMC began publishing and providing information online.
- 1989
Renamed Sounds Australian
[1]The organisation used the Sounds Australian name for roughly the following decade.
- 1987
Vox Australis and expanded publishing activity
[1]A recording project, the Vox Australis label, Sounds Australian magazine and annual awards were developed during the late 1980s.
- 1986
Name formalised as Australian Music Centre
[1]The organisation adopted its current name and moved to Smail Street in Ultimo.
- 1982
Reopened after dormancy
[1]The centre reopened to the public on 3 September after an earlier period of dormancy.
- 1976
Public opening
[1]The AMC officially opened to the public on 27 February.
Products and positioning
A national, publicly oriented infrastructure and advocacy organisation for Australian art music and contemporary sound practice, connecting creators and their work with performers, presenters, educators, researchers and audiences.
Music information and archive · 1974
Online catalogue and collection
The AMC maintains information about Australian composers, sound artists, works, scores, recordings and educational resources. Its collection originated as a physical library and repository and increasingly became available through digital channels. Reference material reported approximately 13,000 collection items by 2017, connected with around 660 creators.
Online music publication · 2007
Resonate Magazine
Resonate is the AMC's online editorial publication. It replaced the print Sounds Australian journal in 2007 and provides coverage and discussion connected with Australian composers, performers, works, performances and contemporary art-music practice.
Record label · 1987
Vox Australis
Vox Australis was a recording-label initiative associated with the AMC's late-1980s expansion under the Sounds Australian period. It supported the documentation and promotion of Australian music through recorded releases, although the AMC's broader mission has remained cultural service and advocacy rather than commercial label operation.
Awards program · 2011
Art Music Awards
Co-presented with APRA AMCOS, the Art Music Awards recognise excellence among Australian composers, performers and educators. The program covers contemporary classical music, jazz, improvisation, sound art and experimental music.
Artist development · 2015
AMPlify
AMPlify is a group of artist-development initiatives launched to support professional growth, career development and opportunities for Australian creators. The program included focused activity relating to Indigenous Australian composers.
Composer development program
Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers
Ngarra-Burria is an Indigenous composer-development initiative created with Moogahlin Performing Arts, the ANU School of Music, Ensemble Offspring and the Royal Australian Navy Band. It was supported financially by APRA AMCOS and through in-kind assistance from EORA College of TAFE.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015AMPlify
Australia
A suite of programs aimed at artist development and career support, including activity designed for Indigenous Australian composers.
Outcome. The initiative established a platform for later and related composer-development work, including Ngarra-Burria.
- Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers
Australia
A partnership-based program supporting Indigenous Australian composers and broadening representation within contemporary Australian art music.
Brand decisions
2021
Chief executive successionStrategyBackground
John Davis left after serving as chief executive for 32 years.
Action taken
Catherine Haridy was appointed chief executive, and Marshall McGuire became board chair.
Aftermath
The appointments marked a significant governance transition for the long-established organisation.
2015
Expansion into structured artist developmentStrategyBackground
The AMC sought to complement information and advocacy services with more direct career support.
Action taken
It launched the AMPlify series of artist-development programs and subsequently supported the Ngarra-Burria initiative for First Peoples composers.
Aftermath
The organisation strengthened its role in professional development and Indigenous composer support.
2011
Launch of the Art Music AwardsOtherBackground
Earlier AMC awards had operated under the Sounds Australian and Classical Music Awards banners.
Action taken
The AMC and APRA AMCOS introduced the Art Music Awards to recognise a wider range of Australian art-music activity.
Aftermath
The awards became a recurring recognition platform covering composers, performers and educators across several contemporary music practices.
2007
Shift from print journal to online publishingStrategyBackground
The AMC had published the Sounds Australian print journal as part of its information and advocacy work.
Action taken
The organisation replaced the print journal with the online Resonate Magazine.
Aftermath
The change supported the AMC's broader digitisation and expanded online dissemination of Australian art-music information.
1986
Adoption of the Australian Music Centre nameStrategyBackground
The organisation had originally been established as the Australia Music Centre and later operated publicly as Sounds Australian.
Action taken
Its official name was changed to Australian Music Centre and it moved to new premises in Ultimo.
Aftermath
The name remains the organisation's formal identity, while Sounds Australian is retained as a historical alias and publishing-era reference.
Recent events
- 2021
Catherine Haridy succeeds John Davis as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
After Davis's long tenure, Catherine Haridy became chief executive, bringing experience in music A&R and artist management.
- 2015
Australian Music Centre launches AMPlify artist-development initiative[1]
Campaign
The AMC introduced a set of artist-development programs intended to support professional growth and career opportunities.
- 2007
Resonate replaces the print Sounds Australian journal[1]
Product launch
The organisation moved its principal journal activity online with the launch of Resonate Magazine.
- 1989
Organisation adopts the Sounds Australian name[1]
Other
At the end of the decade, the Australian Music Centre changed its public name to Sounds Australian, a name it used for about ten years.
- 1976
AMC begins public operations in Sydney[1]
Other
The centre was formally opened to the public and continued developing its library, information and publishing services.
- 1974
Australian Music Centre established as a national art-music service[1]
Other
The organisation was formed as an association after funding became available through the Australia Council for the Arts.
Sources2 sources
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