18 May 2021: It is five years today that we lost dear Michael Hill after a courageous battle with illness. Michael was a unique musician and person, remembered with admiration and love by all of us who knew him. His wonderful musicianship and insight into so many things in music, the arts and literature along with his total modesty defined him. Always looking after others including the many, many students that he came into contact with at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and earlier at Manchester College Oxford, Michael was a dear colleague, mentor and friend. His work as Registrar of the Conservatoire and his leadership of the APD Diploma will always be remembered.

Michael would be 75 this year. I will raise a glass to working with him for so many years, playing concerts (Rubbra Oboe Sonata comes to mind), to spending time with him and to enjoying that sense of humour…….

Here are two pictures of Michael, courtesy of Spike Wilson:

• Tags: pianist and educator, Remembering MIchael Hill