Professor Kerry Murphy is currently Head of Musicology at the Melbourne Conservatorium. She did her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Melbourne.
The research for her PhD (1984) “The Formation of the Music Criticism of Hector Berlioz” was done under the supervision of M. François Lesure (Ecole des hautes études, Paris) and Meredith Moon at the University of Melbourne. While studying in Paris (1980-82) she participated in the Musicology seminars run by Lesure at the Ecole des hautes études. Before taking up her lecturing job at the University of Melbourne, she worked as an assistant archivist at the Grainger Museum and lecturer at the Australian Catholic University and the Canberra School of Music. In 1990 she was awarded a Melbourne University Research Fellowship for Women with Career Interruptions, which she shared 0.5 with a lectureship at Melbourne University.Kerry Murphy has attracted substantial external peer reviewed grants (2 ARC large, 4 ARC small) and has convened or co-convened a number of significant conferences, including “Music’s Audience” (2001, keynote Stephen Banfield, Birmingham), the 2002 National conference of the Musicological Society of Australia, an international Symposium on 19th Century French music in 2004, Symposium on Percy Grainger in 2007, Co/Convenor International conference “Worlds to Conquer” University of Bristol, 2010, Wagner and Us Symposium in 2013, and Bach Symposium in 2014. She has served on numerous School, Faculty, and University Committees including Assoc/Dean Research (Faculty, 2006-2009), Director of Research in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (2009-2013), B.Mus Standing Committee (2008-2013), Chair, Library Users’ Committee (1992-2009); Research & Postgraduate Studies (1990-2013); Executive (1995-2009); Centre for Studies in Australian Music Management Committee (1997-2006, Chair since 2000), Grainger Museum Advisory Board (1991-1995); Oiseau-Lyre Committee (1992-); Academic Promotion and Confirmation (1995-2014); Faculty Affirmative Action Officer (EOWW) (1998-2009).She is a founding member of the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council Network Francophone Music Criticism 1789-1914, and since 2006 has been an Honorary Associate (and Australian corresponding member) of CHOMBEC (UK) (Centre for the History of Music in Britain, the Empire and the Commonwealth). She has served and continues to serve on a number of Editorial Boards of Australian and European Music journals.Kerry Murphy’s research interests focus chiefly on 19th-century French music and music criticism, and colonial Australian music history. She has a particular interest in opera and in reception studies. She has presented over 60 papers at national and international conferences and also gives numerous public lectures on her research. In both her areas of research, Murphy has built up and fostered postgraduate study, her postgraduates consistently achieve outstanding results. Murphy has been productive in attracting international scholars to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (through a number of grant schemes); this has enriched the scholarly and research climate for staff and postgraduate students. In 2008 she was elected a member of the Australian Academy of Humanities.Current research projectsTravelling Virtuosi in 19th-century Australia and New ZealandQuinlan Opera Company Empire tours 1912-1913The representation of Algeria in French 19th-century vocal works.Teaching• 19th-century Music and Ideas• Music Criticism• Studies in Opera• Paris! Berlioz to the Ballets Russes • Music Research • Dissertation• Professional Practice• Postgraduate Seminar (coordinator)
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Kerry Murphy's highlights
FEATURED Curated Exhibition, Event or Festival
Louise Dyer and Editions de l’Oiseau-Lyre: The Establishment of a Music Press
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Scholarly Works
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Honours, Awards and Fellowships
FAHA - Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities
Credentials
Positions
Professor
Melbourne Conservatorium Of Music
Normal
Musicological society of Australia
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Melbourne
Master of Arts
University of Melbourne