Hamish McKeich

McKeich was born in Christchurch on 13 May 1967, the son of Aroya and Ross McKeich, and grew up there, attending Burnside High School. He came from a musical family; he learnt the oboe and then the bassoon once his fingers were big enough. and he continued his bassoon studies at Wellington Polytechnic with Colin Hemmingsen. He later moved to Sydney to continue studying with bassoonist Gordon Skinner. == Career ==

Before going to Australia McKeich was a contract player with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) In Europe he played in the Philharmonia and Netherlands Philharmonic. In 1999 McKeich returned to New Zealand and joined the NZSO as a bassoon player. He has also conducted other orchestras in New Zealand: the Southern Symphonia, the Auckland Philharmonia and the Christchurch Symphony. McKeich has also developed a career internationally working with many orchestras. McKeich has promoted contemporary music as part of the orchestral repertoire. In 2021, after conducting a performance of Stravinsky's The Soldiers Tale, McKeich had a stroke which left him paralysed on his right side. Following intensive rehabilitation he has been able to resume conducting with one hand. == Awards ==

In 2012 McKeich was awarded a citation by the Douglas Lilburn Trust for outstanding services to music in New Zealand. ==References==