Richard Gill (b. 1941-2018) was one of Australia’s pre-eminent conductors and worked with every major Australian orchestra. He was respected and recognised internationally for his extensive work as a music educator.
Richard was passionate about installing comprehensive musical education programs into every school in Australia, he believed that teaching music reaps countless benefits. “[music] requires the most intensive concentration, and listening” said Gill. “To get music, you really have to listen, and when children listen with direction and concentration, their focus goes up spectacularly… and the evidence points to the fact that a structured program of music education has benefits in all learning.”
Throughout his career of over 50 years, Richard Gill demonstrated a true commitment to the musical development of young musicians. Gill started out as a high school music teacher, and, over his career, held positions including Dean of the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music, music director of the Victorian Opera, artistic director of Sydney Symphony’s Education Program, and, most recently, founder of the National Music Teacher Mentoring Program, artistic advisor to the Musica Viva In Schools Program, music director of the Sydney Chamber Choir, King & Wood Mallesons Conservatorium Chair in Music Education at the Conservatorium High School, and artistic director of the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra.
Gill conducted all the major Australian opera companies, symphony and youth orchestras, New Zealand Symphony and Youth Orchestras, Sydney Chamber Choir and Sydney Philharmonia Choir, and performed at the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Festivals. Richard Gill conducted numerous Australian works, including many world premieres.
Gill was appointed as Officer of the Order Australia (AO) for his services to music in 2016. In 2014, he was presented the Art Music Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music. He had an Honorary Doctorate from the Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, and the Australian Catholic University. He received the Don Banks Music Award in 2006, and the Bernard Heinze Award for ‘Services to Music in Australia’ in 1999. He was also presented the Classical Music Award for ‘Distinguished Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music in Education’ in 2004.
Richard Gill died in Sydney on Sunday 28 October 2018
