Douglas Lilburn

Douglas Lilburn, a pioneering figure in New Zealand's musical landscape, was born in Whanganui in 1915 and spent his formative years on a picturesque sheep farm. His musical journey took him from the rolling hills of the Turakina River valley to the prestigious Royal College of Music in London, where he studied under the renowned Ralph Vaughan Williams. Returning to New Zealand in 1940, Lilburn became a cornerstone of the country's avant-garde and experimental music scene, leaving an indelible mark as both a composer and an educator. His influence extended far beyond his compositions, nurturing generations of New Zealand musicians through his teaching and mentorship. Lilburn's legacy continues to resonate, with his works performed globally and his contributions preserved in the Alexander Turnbull Library Archive of New Zealand Music, which he helped establish.