Our June 2023 concert is dedicated to David Teakle and Noel Milliken

David was one of the original lounge-room players who formed the music group that became the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra, and he had an unbroken association with the ICO for 60 years. There would be few community organisations that could boast such stalwart support. David played cello in the ICO, and in the St Lucia Orchestra when Ron Hanmer was the conductor. David and his wife Kathy together made significant contribution to Brisbane’s music excellence in both performance and education.

Similarly, Noel supported and played the cello in the ICO for many years, and he, together with his wife Marjorie, had a lifelong involvement with music. Noel was registrar of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music from 1971, and was a longstanding member of various choral ensembles, the Queensland State and Municipal Choir, St Andrew’s Church Choir, Conservatorium Chorale, and the Brisbane Chorale. He served for many years as President of the Queensland Youth Orchestra.

In retirement, as board member of the Churchill Fellowship, Noel oversaw the conferral of Churchill scholarships to young artists and undertook the administration of the Lev Vlassenko International Piano Competition for many years. He later established a travel bursary for Queensland Conservatorium students resulting from his long association with the Friends of the Conservatorium. In 1990 Noel was conferred with the title of Honorary Fellow of the Conservatorium in recognition of his service. His dedication to developing the careers of young musicians was unwavering.

“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak about Noel and David. I first met Noel through his wife, Marjorie, when we were both studying at the Conservatorium of Music in 1976. Noel and Marjorie’s daughter, Cathy, was playing with me in the Conservatorium orchestra at that time too. I was really pleased to hear that Noel had taken up the cello and played in the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra.

I first met David in the St Lucia Orchestra. David and I sat at the same desk playing cello. If David was here today he would tell you about the singer who sang off key at the top register. David would say, “I wish she wouldn’t sing sharp!” David was an excellent cello player and a top page turner. I also met up with David and his wife Kathy in Oakland, California, when I was studying there in 1979. David and Kathy hosted a party for my colleague and me at their home in Berkely, California.  So now my sympathy goes out to the families of Noel and David, and I will see you all in heaven!”

 

Susan McLeod (nee Ridley), sister of Liz Ridley who currently plays violin in the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra.

Current members of the orchestra remember Noel as being cheeky and always having a loving smile; and David’s gentle, caring manner with orchestra members. Everyone we talked to about Noel and David talked about friendships created, and friendships that have passed down through the generations. They really were the embodiment of community music.

David and Noel helped make the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra what it is today, and we are delighted to honour them with Schumann’s cello concerto.