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John Dean, a former long-serving member of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO), died on 6 August 2024 at the age of 90. Dean was a member of the WASO for 33 years and the longest-serving principal viola in the orchestra’s history.
Dean began violin lessons at the age of six with his father, Horace Dean, who was violinist with the WASO from 1942 to 1969. After studying with Vaughan Hanly, he received an Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) scholarship to the Melbourne Music Conservatorium in 1952, where he studied with Boris Stupel.
In 1956 he returned to Perth to look for employment opportunities. When a violist position became available with the WASO, he learned alto clef and passed the audition. He was principal violist from 1970 to 1989, making him the longest-serving musician in the WASO’s history. For his 33 years of service to the orchestra, the WASO awarded him the title of Musician Emeritus.
In the early 1970s, Dean continued his studies in London with Cecil Aronowitz and became a member of the Mozart Players, the English Sinfonia and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
On his return to Perth he joined the Oriel Quartet, the first Western Australian group to tour the Eastern States for Musica Viva. He was also a founding member of the Perth Chamber Soloists and the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA), which annually sponsors AMEB’s John Dean Award for the best Year 7/8 string candidate.
As an educator, he worked for ten years at Perth Modern School and taught in Bunbury. He has also worked as a theory lecturer at the Western Australian Academy of Arts (WAAPA), lectured on the University of Western Australia (UWA) Saturday morning music program and at local music camps, and worked as an AMEB examiner.
His work in the community has taken him to perform in regional churches, give concerts for UWA and play for ABC broadcasts. Dean has performed as a soloist with WASO on several occasions, including a performance of Berlioz’ Harold in Italy.
Dean leaves behind three children and his wife, soprano Margot Robertson.
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