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Douglas Lilburn

Douglas Lilburn was born in Wanganui, New Zealand, in 1915. He attended Waitaki Boys' High School from 1930 to 1933, before moving to Christchurch to study at Canterbury University College.

In 1937, with the financial assistance of his father, he began studying at the Royal College of Music, London. He was tutored in composition by Ralph Vaughan Williams and remained at the College until 1939. He returned to New Zealand in 1940, living in Christchurch and working as a freelance composer and teacher until 1947.

In 1947 Douglas Lilburn shifted to Wellington to take up a music position at Victoria University. It was at this time that he began his relationship with the New Zealand National Film Unit, composing the music to Weekly Review No. 332 Hokianga... Backblock Medical Service.

There followed three major commissions for Lilburn from the Unit which were all performed by members of the fledgling National Orchestra (formed in 1946). Weekly Review No. 346 - Rhythm and Movement (1948) advocated the benefits of physical exercise for women and showcasing the work of Gisa Taglicht, pioneer of women's rhythmical gymnastics. Journey for Three (1949) was described as "the absorbing story of three new settlers told against the background of New Zealand's Southern Alps" while The First Two Years at School (1950) explored the various methods of teaching the very young and introducing them to infant school.

During this period Lilburn was encouraged to apply for a newly established musical position at the National Film Unit. After much consideration he decided to remain with Victoria University, becoming a full-time Lecturer in 1949 and Senior Lecturer in 1955.

In 1963 he was made Associate Professor of Music and was appointed Professor with a personal chair in Music in 1970. In 1966 Lilburn founded the Electronic Music Studio at the university and was its Director until 1979, a year before his retirement.

Douglas Lilburn, described as "the elder statesman of New Zealand music," died peacefully at his home in Wellington on 6 June 2001.

Written by Gareth Watkins and Roger Smith. With thanks to Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara O Te Kawanatanga. Images: PAColl-6884-1-04 and PA Coll-7737-3-04. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.