Famous music educator Richard Gill's legacy lives on in the Inner West's Stanmore Music Festival

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Inner West Council is thrilled to announce this year’s Stanmore Music Festival this weekend.

This much-loved festival was inspired by the world-renowned music educator, conductor and long-time inner west resident, Richard Gill AO. When Richard Gill was nearing the end of his life, musicians from across Sydney gathered outside his Stanmore home to serenade him.

“After Richard’s passing, I received a request from his friend and fellow Stanmore local, Simon Chapman, to work together to create a music festival in his honour,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

“Five years on, I am so pleased that the collaboration between Inner West Council, Stanmore residents, and Richard’s broad network of friends and collaborators from the music sector has created something truly special.”

Music is for everyone and Richard Gill’s vision of bringing music into the public domain to be heard on the streets, by the people, is one worth supporting.

Following the success of the St Anmore Music Festival, Inner West Council has now supported a proposal from Deputy Mayor and Stanmore (Damun) Ward Councillor Chloe Smith to expand this model of music in the streets to festivals right across the Inner West.

These will take place throughout 2024.

“We hope that the whole Stanmore community will continue to find joy in this year’s program of performances and take pride that something they have created is being expanded to other suburbs, keeping Richard Gill’s legacy alive,” said Mayor Darcy Byrne.

This year’s festival is both a homage and a look to the future, with opportunities for musicians of all ages and stages to join. Every genre of music is represented, from choirs to rock and young folk and acapella. It’s a vibrant street festival, with Percival Rd closed and ready to rock. From laundries to libraries, there will be music pop-ups everywhere. And there’ll be art too. During the festival this year, a large mural depicting Richard Gill will be created as a new Perfect Match artwork called Maestro by Ox King.

Maestro (2023) by Ox King

This street artwork of Richard is a tribute to his place in music and Stanmore. Surrounded by the native flora of area, he is part of the street as much as he is a part of Australian music. The instruments of countless musicians are effortlessly conducted to play the songs with which he was so passionate and delighted. The musicians he has taught and inspired over the years are represented by the instruments floating amongst the local flowers, paying homage to the infamous street performance of "The Dam Busters March" outside of his home in 2018.

When: 18 November, 12-6pm

Where: Percival Road, from Myrtle Rd to Salisbury Road Media inquiries:

For media enquiries please contact, Margaret.merten@innerwest.news.gov.au