Richard Gill: Force of Nurture

Richard GillRichard Gill, 1941 – 2018. Photo © Nick Gilbert

The beloved Australian conductor and music educator, who died of cancer in October, meant so much to so many across the music industry and beyond. Those who carry on his legacy share their stories of the larger-than-life figure who, through his tireless, fearless advocacy for music and music education, touched us all.


Everyone has a Richard Gill story. The beloved conductor and educator’s influence reached across generations and cut through every section of the classical music industry and beyond. In the wake of his death on October 28, stories and memories have been flowing thick and fast in comments online, birthday wishes – Gill would have been 77 years old on November 4, the occasion marked by a concert at Sydney’s City Recital Hall – and in concerts celebrating his life. In the weeks following his death there were few concerts or performances that weren’t dedicated to the memory of one of Australia’s most passionate artistic leaders.

“Every person in the orchestra has their own Richard Gill story,” conductor Nicholas Milton told the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s audience...