A Socio-Cultural History of the Violin in Australia: Identity, Resilience, and Colonial Legacy

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.

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.