Professor Adrian Walter wants to make sure ''we don't decide what the students want from the course''.

''Just small groups, maybe under a dozen, where I can find out what the students' aspirations are and what they want from the course,'' he said.

The guitarist, cellist and music scholar, who is Professor of Music and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Business and Arts at Charles Darwin University, will take up his new post in early January.

He is excited but knows the role will be a challenge. The school has been plagued by problems since being absorbed into the ANU in 1992, including declining student enrolments and financial difficulties.

While Professor Walter said no programs would be cut, there would be a focus on niche areas, such as Australian music or chamber music, that would allow the school to market itself.

''You've got to have a program that actually enables you to compete in the marketplace,'' he said. ''We don't like that side of the world but we've got to have a unique brand that says 'if you come and study music at ANU, you are going to get these attributes that are unique to this institution'.''

He said because the school had a strong relationship with the Canberra community it had the potential to act as an important repository of skill bases and leadership. But Professor Walter said he would concentrate on equipping students for their future, whether in performing, arts management or teaching.

''Most people when they graduate from a degree are looking for employment and I don't think music institutions nationally have been very smart in training students for the professions into which they'll be moving,'' he said.

''And music is very bad like that, because musicians are wonderful in terms of their passion for their discipline area, but they forget sometimes that there's a real world out there.''

Professor Walter has experience as a manager and a performer.

His contract is for five years, which he feels is a good amount of time to make a difference.