Richard Gill: A tour de force, a power beyond reason and an intellect beyond compare

By Dr Brad Merrick
Community contribution / November 12, 2018

Richard Gill was something and somebody to everyone in Australian music and music education. We all knew him, or felt that we did, even if we hadn’t met him face to face. He had such an aura and presence, combined with a voice and reason that identified him to the nation.

Through his work with such organisations as Australian Youth Orchestra, Richard Gill made a profound impact on thousands of young people, fellow performers, teachers and arts administrators across Australia and worldwide. PHOTO: Peter Hislop

I was blessed to meet with him many times when Chair of ASME (Australian Society For Music Education) in 2015-17 and his desire to drive music education for all was something to behold. Any phone call to Richard was not going to be a quick one, rather a deeply engaging conversation that always centred around the importance of music for everyone.

He epitomised passion, knowledge, empathy and commitment in all that he did, while also continually challenging his audience to embrace music in its majesty and aesthetic value.

Whether talking on radio, advocating the worth of music for everyone on television or in a Ted talk, espousing the need to get all children singing, performing and composing music from a young age in every part of the country, he was like a shining light that never went out.

Richard’s constant message was that music was the most important thing in our world, and every time he had a conversation, talked to group of teachers, conducted an orchestra or choir, his incredible knowledge and depth of understanding transcended all who were in his presence.

He could hold any audience in the palm of his hand, such was the power of his message.

Richard had an incredible ability to revitalise the whole room, and always bring them back to the hymn sheet, such were his incredible abilities to orchestrate, conduct and perform, whether he was working with young children, undergraduates, professional musicians or teachers.

His 2015 Peggy-Glanville Hicks address embraced his life’s mission and belief,

“that every child in Australia should have access to a thoroughly qualified and properly trained music teacher;

that we teach music because it is good and unique and no other justification is required;

that we teach music so that children can make their own music – that is new music;

that we teach music based on singing, and that all conceptual information related to the teaching of music comes from singing;

that we teach music so that children can learn to develop an appreciation and understanding of the music of others”.

We may have physically lost the mighty Richard Gill, the man, the force, the deeply passionate musician and educator, but his incredible legacy and his overwhelming love of music and his desire for everyone to experience the wonderful journey that music can take us on will stay with us all now, and into the future.

Vale, Dr Richard Gill AO
(November 4, 1941 - October 28, 2018)