June Nixon

Helena June Rose Nixon (born 1942) is an Australian organist, choir trainer, and composer.

Biography

Nixon began her musical training at an early age, studying piano and organ at the University of Melbourne. She went on to earn post-graduate scholarships that enabled her to study in London, where she gained her Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO) and became the first woman to receive the John Brooke prize for the Choir Training Diploma.[1]

In 1973, Nixon was appointed as organist and director of music at St. Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, a position she held for 40 years until her retirement in 2013. During her tenure, she was responsible for leading the choir and overseeing the music program at the cathedral. On retirement, she was appointed Organist Emerita at the cathedral.[2]

Throughout her career, Nixon has been actively involved in the restoration and preservation of historic organs. She served as a consultant for the restoration of the T.C. Lewis Organ in St. Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne,[3] and was a member of the steering committee for the restoration of the Hill Organ in the Melbourne Town Hall.[4]

Nixon has been recognised for her contributions to church music and has received several awards such as:

  • 1995 – Percy Jones Award for “Outstanding dedication and service given to music for worship” from the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
  • 1998 – Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
  • 1999 – The Lambeth Degree, Doctor of Music (Cantuar) conferred on her by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Nixon is also a current Examiner of Piano and Organ with the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).[5] Throughout her career, she has trained and mentored many young musicians and continues to be an important figure in the Australian music community.

Nixon has recorded several albums of organ music, choral works, and hymns. Some of her notable recordings include: "June Nixon at St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne" (1999), "Hymns Old and New" (2000), "Organ Music for Lent and Holy Week" (2007), "A Festival of Hymns" (2010), "Nixon Plays Nixon" (2013). Her compositions are written for various ensemble like organ, choir, piano and orchestral.

Nixon's compositions have been well-received by audiences and critics, and have helped to raise the profile of organ and choral music in Australia. Her most notable arrangement of the traditional carol The Holly and the Ivy which has been performed 3 times at Kingʼs College, Cambridge.[6]

References
  1. "June Nixon : Represented Artist Profile : Australian Music Centre". www.australianmusiccentre.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  2. "Music Staff • St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne". St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  3. "St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne". ohta.org.au. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  4. "MELBOURNE TOWN HALL". ohta.org.au. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  5. "Examiners". AMEB Victoria. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  6. Melbourne, St Paul's Cathedral (2021-12-22). "Nixon's Noël brings Christmas Cheer the world over • St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne". St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
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