Ronald Farren-Price’s public career began in 1943, when he appeared as soloist playing Beethoven First Piano Concerto with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra at the age of 13. He studied piano at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium from 1948, winning the ABC Concerto Competition in 1950, then went to London and studied with the legendary pianist Claudio Arrau for three years. He returned to Melbourne and joined the staff of the University Conservatorium in 1955, being promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1968 and Reader in 1975.

As a performer, his repertoire has been particularly associated with the music of Beethoven, and he has done much to preserve the heritage of European classical piano in Australia. He has appeared as soloist in over 50 countries, including making 12 tours of Russia. He has given recitals in many of the world’s major concert halls, and appeared as a concerto artist with such conductors as Dorati, Tortellier, Sir Charles Groves and Willem van Otterloo. He has had a long broadcasting career, his life has been the feature of a television documentary, and he has released a number of commercial recordings.

For 50 years he has taught piano at the University of Melbourne, producing a steady stream of students, many of whom have joined the ranks of Australia’s significant pianists since. Beyond the campus, he has been an enthusiastic evangelist for his art, giving innumerable master classes in all parts of Australia, throughout South East Asia and in Europe, and serving on the juries of many distinguished national and international awards and competitions. He has been perhaps the most important contributor to piano examinations in Victoria for half a century, relentlessly touring the length and breadth of Victoria’s towns and country centres to examine for the AMEB. In addition he has served as the Federal Examiner for higher Diploma candidates in all States on numerous occasions.

At the University of Melbourne, he has given countless recitals for staff at University House and numerous public appearances for all manner of occasions. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Music 1986 – 1990, he is a Fellow of Queen’s College, Member of Council of Queen’s College, patron of the Melbourne Chorale, and life governor of the Austin Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Since his retirement in 1996 he has been a Principal Fellow of the Faculty, and continues to contribute in this, his 50th year of teaching at the University. His contribution to the field of music was recognised by the award of the University’s prestigious Dublin Prize in 2003.

For outstanding service to the University of Melbourne and to the community in the field of Music, therefore, I present Ronald William Farren-Price, Member of the Order of Australia, Diploma of Music, for admission to the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa.