Richard Gill Celebrated In Free Concert Presented By The Sydney Symphony Orchestra

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the life of the late music educator Richard Gill with a free concert at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday 17 November.

In collaboration with Kim Williams, Australian media executive, former student, and lifelong friend of Richard Gill, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will present Richard Gill: Celebration of a Life. The concert will include speeches by Richard's children, Claire and Anthony Gill; Sir Jonathan Mills AO, composer and former Director of the Edinburgh International Festival; Australian director and actor John Bell AO OBE; recently appointed Australia Council CEO Adrian Collette AM; and former Sydney Symphony Managing Director CEO, Mary Vallentine AO. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will also be joined by the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Chamber Choir and the Conservatorium High School Chamber Choir for the tribute performance.

Emma Dunch, Sydney Symphony Orchestra CEO, shares why the orchestra has brought together this special concert. "Richard Gill changed the way we listened to music," says Dunch.

"Anyone who encountered his indomitable spirit can attest to his passion for music and music education. He was a pioneer and the mentor of generations of Australian musicians - many of our Sydney Symphony Orchestra musicians can trace their love of music back to Richard Gill. Without his dedication to the pursuit of music education, the music landscape in Australia would be vastly different, and this is a way for us to give back to the man who has given us such a rich culture of music. We invite Australians to join us for a free concert at the Sydney Opera House to celebrate the life of Australia's first citizen of music."

With the support of Optus, the already at capacity event will also be available as a free livestream direct from the Sydney Opera House via the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and ABC Classic FM websites. The concert audio will also be broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

With a career spanning 60 years, Richard's achievements and talents were innumerable, ranging from conductor, musician, mentor and most notably, a fierce champion for the role that music plays in the education and development of young people.

His work with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra saw the development of innovative programs that addressed gaps in music education. Through his role as the Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's education program, Gill established the Sydney Symphony Sinfonia, a training orchestra that provided young musicians with a bridge between education and professional practice. Believing that music education didn't stop with young minds and should be for everyone, he pioneered the orchestra's Discovery series, concert programs that provided musical knowledge in interesting and accessible ways for an adult audience.

Richard Gill: Celebration of a Life is a free event open to all Australians and music-lovers. Calls via the Sydney Symphony Orchestra box office on (02) 8215 4600 can be made to arrange joining a waitlist for the at capacity concert. A ticket is required for admission.