As a concert pianist, accompanist and teacher in a professional career spanning 50 years, Maurice Till (1926–2011) is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most talented musicians.
Born in Christchurch in 1926, he was educated at St Andrew’s College and the University of Canterbury where he gained his MA and Dip Mus in 1948. He was Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago from 1949 to 1954 and from 1971 to1981; and at CanterburyUniversity fron 1958 to 1970 and from 1981 to 1992. He held the post of Dean of Music and Fine Arts from 1985 to 1988.
Maurice Till is a former member of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and was the foundation Chairman of the Southern Regional Arts Council. He has made frequent appearances as a soloist with the NZSO and with Australian orchestras and has performed in many chamber music recitals with the Prague, Alard, Alberni, Czech, Bulgarian and Deseret String Quartets.
Throughout his career he has been a regular performer with Radio New Zealand and has also performed for the BBC. He was awarded an MBE in 1974.
Citation authorised as true and correct at April 2000.
