Pictured from left: Professor Terence Dennis, Jonathan Lemalu, Helen Williamson (niece of Honor McKellar) and Emeritus Professor John Drummond at the tribute concert announcing the Honor McKellar Memorial Scholarship in Classical Voice. Photo: Pieter du Plessis
A new scholarship to remember the life and work of the late voice teacher and performer Honor McKellar is being established by the University of Otago.
The Honor McKellar Memorial Scholarship in Classical Voice was announced at the ‘Honouring Honor’ concert and tribute, featuring opera star Jonathan Lemalu (Bass) and Professor Terence Dennis (Piano), in Dunedin on Wednesday night.
The scholarship will provide support for an undergraduate or postgraduate student who demonstrates outstanding promise, to study Classical Voice at Otago.
Honor was a renowned mezzo-soprano and passionate teacher. As Otago’s first full-time executant Voice teacher, she taught some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most renowned singers, including Patrick Power ONZM, Jonathan Lemalu ONZM and Matt Landreth.
Emeritus Professor John Drummond and Professor Dennis, who is Blair Professor of Music at Otago, spoke about Honor’s legacy at the concert.
John says Honor embodied three key qualities as a singer and a teacher, which she imparted to her students:
“As a singer you are the messenger. Your job is to deliver the music so its full meaning will be understood. A concert is not about you, it’s about the music you sing.
“The words matter as well as the music. She once told me, ‘It’s all about the words’.
“Be professional in everything you do, in the way you work, the way you treat fellow performances, and the way you treat audiences.”
A generous gift from a family member has launched the scholarship fund and the University is calling for further donations to create an endowment.
Otago’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Shelagh Murray, says the scholarship celebrates Honor’s special legacy to Music at Otago.
“Honor was an inspiring and dedicated teacher, who helped shape the first-class Voice programme that continues at Otago today,” Shelagh says.
“We hope this scholarship honours that special contribution and continues her legacy through supporting future generations of classical singers.”
At Honor’s 100th birthday celebrations, Jonathan paid tribute to her as a professional singer and teacher.
“Without your guidance, without your love, I wouldn’t have the singing career, I wouldn’t have these achievements and highlights, without the joy of music you instilled in me.
“I remember your boundless energy, patience, and instilling fun and joy in my music making. “
Jonathan is establishing his own award to assist and mentor postgraduate students.
An Otago alumna, Honor graduated with a BA in 1942 and MusB in 1944. She then studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1946-1949.
In 1971, she returned to Otago to become the first executant lecturer in singing, when she was appointed William Evans lecturer, a post which she held until her retirement in 1985.
Honor received a QSM in 1989, for services to music, and continued to teach singing at the University as well as privately well into her eighties. She was made a Life Member of the New Zealand Association of Teachers of Singing in 2012.
Study Music at Otago
At the University of Otago Music programme we cover a unique combination of classical music, contemporary rock music, music production and world music. If you want to develop as a performer, a composer or a songwriter we have papers to suit.
Find out more