IF you typed the words musical maestro into Google you would be likely to find an array of modern artists, each of whom has been dubbed ‘a master’ of their craft, but one name that should present itself immediately is that of Goulburn’s Dr Paul Paviour.
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He is best known locally for his long stint as musical director at St Saviour’s Cathedral and his work with various musical societies, composing many scores for both the Argyle society and the Lieder, with A Midsummer Night’s Dream being the latest.
However, what some might not know about Dr Paviour is the extent of his prestigious achievements, which have included playing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Englishman is a natural born musician – it is in his veins.
Dr Paul Paviour - POLLUTION POLKA
He has been creating and composing music for more than 50 years however his career started in most unlikely of places.
After completing High School, Dr Paviour joined the Royal Marines and was posted to the 42nd Commando Brigade. But when the military band lost its organist he was asked to take his place for an important concert.
His performance gained him instant recognition and he was later transferred to HMS Indomitable, where he became the organist to the Home Fleet. He served out his time in the military and later went on to study and become a music teacher.
In 1953, he was conducting numerous choirs and an orchestra in Bedfordshire when he was asked to compose some music for local celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
In 1965, Dr Paviour got a big posting in Yorkshire, where he became the conductor of the Elizabethan Operatic Society. However, it was his acceptance of a job offer five years later which would change the rest of his life. In 1970, he moved his family to Australia to take up a posting as the director of music at All Saints College in Bathurst. While there, Dr Paviour composed a lot of music for the consecration of Bathurst Cathedral.
The event was a very big deal and he conducted more 100 musicians in a performance which was witnessed by both the Governor of NSW and the Governor General. In 1975, he moved to Goulburn where he would become the director of music at St Saviour’s Cathedral, composing music for many events including its centenary in 1984, the completion of the tower and hallowing of the bells.
However, his biggest gig came when he was asked to once again to undertake a national service, this time for Australia.
“One of the big events of my life was being asked by then Prime Minister Bob Hawke to be the director of music for the opening of New Parliament House by the Queen in May, 1988,” Dr Paviour said.
He composed and conducted the music for the entire ceremony, which included fanfares and arrangements based around Australian folk songs. Afterwards, he was personally congratulated by the Queen and offered the opportunity for a chance reunion with Prince Phillip, who he served with in the Navy.
The Duke remembered Dr Paviour and the pair spent a while having a friendly chat. In the last 20 years he has written countless pieces of music, with no job being too big or too small, adding colour to everything from school events, through to musical theatre and large scale ensembles.
In his career, he has composed more than 200 pieces of music and he recently received a degree Honoris Causa from a University in Maryland, which was personally signed by the Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton. On Sunday afternoon, Dr Paviour will stage an important piece of musical history.
He has conducted dozens of renditions of Handel’s masterpiece “The Messiah” over the years but says this weekend’s performance will be special. He has managed to get his hands on an original copy of one of the arias, which will be performed for the first time since 1792.
Musicians are travelling from all over the country to take part in the event and Dr Paviour hopes it will be “as good as any” performance, never one to blow his own trumpet. Sunday’s performance will take place at Sts Peters and Paul’s Cathedral and begins at 3pm. Admission costs $20.
