Thank you Richard Gill

Last Sunday a very unique Australian musician, educator and music advocate called Richard Gill died from cancer. Richard was passionate about music for everyone, from babies to adults and inspired and motivated many people in Australia and around the world. 

I first heard about Richard Gill when he was a guest conductor for the Adelaide Youth Orchestra when I was at university in the early 2000's. Then in 2006 I went to my first National Orff Schulwerk Conference and there was Richard at the opening telling us how great we were for coming to this conference in our summer holidays and I was introduced to the legend himself. 

Throughout my involvement with Orff Schulwerk I have been able to hear Richard speak at various conferences and attend workshops with him. His deep and extensive knowledge of music and Orff Schulwerk and charismatic teaching style meant you never wanted to miss the opportunity to see Richard. 

In the 1970's Richard Gill came to Salzburg to study the "Special Course' here at the Orff Institute, which is the same course I am lucky enough to be studying now. Thank you to Richard for being on of my inspirations to come here and study. 

If you'd like to know more here are some links: 

In memoriam Richard Gill AO - by Charles MacInnes

Australian Romantic Classical Orchestra post

Five Times Richard Gill made us love music all over again - ABC Classic FM

Five videos

A Citizen of Music: Celebrating the Life of Richard Gill - ABC Classic FM

A radio audio show

Donate to the Richard Gill AO Memorial Fund

Donate

Read Richard's memoir Give Me Excess of It
Buy the book here

At a workshop with Richard Gill in 2015