Mills, Richard (John)

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Mills, Richard (John)

Mills, Richard (John), Australian conductor and composer; b. Toowoomba, Queensland, Nov. 14, 1949. After initial training at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in North Quay (1964–69), he pursued his education at the Univ. of Queensland in St. Lucia (B.A., 1969) before completing his studies at the Guildhall School of Music in London (1969–71) with Rubbra (composition) and Gilbert Webster (percussion). He was principal percussionist in the Tasmanian Sym. Orch. in Hobart (19767–79) and the Queensland Sym. Orch. in Brisbane (1980–81). He lectured in composition at the Univ. of Northern Rivers in Lismore, New South Wales (1982–84), and in composition and conducting at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (1985–86). In 1989–90 he served as artist-in-residence of the Australian Broadcasting Corp. He was artistic director of the Adelaide Chamber Orch. (1991–92) and artistic consultant of the Queensland Sym. Orch. (1991–92). His early diatonic style evolved into one in which more complex uses of harmony and counterpoint appeared.

Works

dramatic:Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, ballet (1988). orch.:Toccata (1976); Music for Strings (1977); Fantasia on a Rondel (1981); Overture with Fanfares (1981); Trumpet Concerto (1982); Soundscapes for Percussion and Orch. (1983); Castlemaine Antiphons for Brass Band and Orch. (1984); Bamaga Diptych (1986); Sequenzas/Concertante (1986); Fantastic Pantomimes for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Trumpet, and Orch. (1987–88); Aeolian Caprices (1988); Seaside Dances for 18 Solo Strings (1989); Flute Concerto (1990); Cello Concerto (1990); Violin Concerto (1992). chamber: Brass Quintet (1986); Sonatina for String Quartet (1986); Miniatures and Refrains for String Quartet (1986); String Quartet No. 1 (1989). VOCAL: Festival Folksongs for Tenor, Mezzo-soprano, Chorus, Children’s Chorus, 2 Optional Brass Choirs, and Orch. (1985); Voyages and Visions for 4 Soloists, Chorus, 3 Brass Bands, 4 Percussion, Orch., and Tape (1987); Visionary Fanfare for Chorus, 2 Brass Bands, 6 Trumpets, 6 Trombones, and Orch. (1988); 5 Meditations on the Poetry of David Campbell for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1988).