Brisbane musician, teacher and composer Donald Hall has died at the age of 67. Hall made a significant contribution to the cultural life of Queensland where he collaborated with many of the state’s leading arts companies. He also worked as a music therapist, and in recent years played the harp at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital as part of its Stairwell Project.

Donald Hall performing at one of QPAC’s Lunchtime Live concerts in 2015. Photograph courtesy of QPAC

Hall was born was born in Far North Queensland, one of identical twins, on 18 November 1953. At the time, his family was living in Normanton, on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

He began his musical education on a piano accordion given to him by an aunt, then moved on to piano and violin, before studying cello at the Queensland Conservatorium with Julie van der Klei. He also undertook degrees in Psychology and Anthropology at the University of Queensland.

Early in his career he became the first music therapist to work in Queensland’s public hospitals. He travelled widely, holding training sessions and delivering lectures for the State Health Department and the Education Department. As Secretary of the...