John Theodore Dean was born in 1934 to 30 year old Horace and 22 year old Rhona Hope Dean (nee Fancote).
As a young girl, in order to attend Sunday School at Saint Patrick’s Anglican Church in Mt Lawley, Marcia Chayter had to walk past the house of Horace, Rhona, John and Michael Dean at 29 Rookwood Street, Mt Lawley. Forty years, later her son would marry John’s daughter.
Horace Dean was a violinist and viola player in the Perth Symphony Orchestra and a highly respected performer and educator in Perth’s music circles. His son John followed in his footsteps.
1947 – aged 13
MUSIC AND ART OF SPEECH Exhibition And Diploma Winners Exhibitions were awarded at the September-November examinations in music and the art of speech conducted by the University of W.A. under the auspices of the Australian Music Examinations Board, as follows: Violin: Grade II, John Theodore Dean.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Tuesday 16 December 1947, page 14
1950
This year the Kylie Music Club is meeting on the first Saturday of each month in the Women’s Service Guild hall. Because, however, there is a Musica Viva concert next Saturday, the Kylie May meeting has been advanced to this evening. The first half of the programme will be presented by young artists in John Dean and Bruce Shute (violin and piano), Pearl White (soprano), Betty Wright (piano) and Donald Cartwright (oboe). The concluding work will be a Brahms Sonata played by Vaughan Hanly and Marshall Sumner.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 29 April 1950, page 21
MUSIC EXAM AWARDS Successful Students Announced The list of awards approved by the University senate in connection with the music examinations held by the Australian Music Examinations Board in September were released yesterday. VIOLIN. Seventh Grade: John Dean.
West Australian (Perth, WA), Wednesday 20 December 1950, page 14
1951
Awards In The Music Board Exams Awards made in connection with examinations held by the Australian Music Examinations Board have been announced by the University of W.A. Violin: JOHN THEODORE DEAN.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 22 December 1951, page 14
1952
FANCOTE — FORBES A very lovely wedding was solemnised at St. George’s Cathedral, Perth, on Saturday, May 31, between Frederick George, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Fancote, and June Francis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Forbes, both of Brookton. The officiating clergyman was the Very Rev. Dean Berivick of Perth. The bride was” beautifully gowned in white”- Chantilly lace over white satin, made with a fitting bodice, medicea collar, a very full skirt falling into a beautiful train, the “frock and train were edged all round with the natural scallops of the lace. Her three-tiered fingertip raw cut tulle veil was held in place by a halo of orange blossom. She carried a trailer of white carnations, gladioli, gerbera roses and bridal marguerite. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Heather Forbes, in lemon, and her cousin, Miss Fay Nicholas, in blue. The bridesmaids wore lovely frocks of nylon lace and spotted tulle, made with bouffant skirts, allied to fitting bodices and fitting lace boleros with dovetail collars. They carried trailers of roses, asters and gerbera in pastel shades with matching posies in their little lace dutch caps. The bridegroom’s presents to the bridesmaids were diamante bracelets. The bride and bridesmaid’s frocks were made by Mrs. H. Grigo, an old friend of the family and former wardrobe mistress of the Tivoli Theatre, Perth. Mr. Frank Cox was best man and Mr. Phillip Cockcroft, the groomsman. The bride’s mother, assisted by the mother of the groom, received 120 guests to a buffet breakfast at Tintern Lodge, followed by a reception and dancing. During the evening Mr. Horace Dean and his son, John (both A.B.C. artists), favoured the guests with violin duets. The bride’s mother chose a crepe frock of beige’ grey colouring with a matching jacket, a junior navy hat and navy accessories and wore a shoulder spray of red roses. The bridegroom’s mother wore a lavender frock of light wool, lavender Velvet hat and grey accessories and chose a shoulder spray of gold roses. The three-tiered cake was made by the bridegroom’s mother and iced by Mrs. Frank White, of Brookton. The bride, for her going away outfit, chose a lovely pale blue suit trimmed with pearl buttons, a matching blue” hat and burgundy accessories.
Pingelly-Brookton Leader (WA : 1925 – 1954), Wednesday 11 June 1952, page 3
The W.A. Musical Festival will end today. There will be no prize winners’ concert as in former years. This afternoon will be devoted to the finals of all the under-age sections up to 17 years, at the Perth Town Hall, Then, in the Burt Hall at 7.30, will bp contested the finals of the open piano and-violin sections, the champion ladies’ and men’s vocal solos, under18 piano and piano duets. A musical entertainment is included in today’s closing programme for the Arts Festival at the University. Beginning at 7.30 p.m. in Winthrop Hall, John Dean and Donald Thornton will play one of Beethoven’s violin sonatas, the Madrigal Singers will present medieval songs and madrigals, and Mr. Thornton will play Ravel’s Sonatine.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 12 July 1952, page 15
FOUR WHO WON AT THE W.A. MUSIC FESTIVAL
Some of those who won the finals of their respective divisions when the West Australian Music Festival continued at the Burt Memorial Hall in Perth on Saturday night are shown above during their recitals. They are, from left to right: Mr. John Dean, winner of the open violin solo, Miss Brenda Howarth, winner of the ladies’ championship solo. Mr. R. E. Moran, winner of the open men’s championship solo, and Miss Janette Williams, winner of the open piano solo.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Monday 14 July 1952, page 2
Women Excel In Champion Solos The singing heard in the women’s championship solo competition was superior to that of the men in their championship at the concluding session of the W.A. Musical Festival in the Burt Hall on Saturday night. This comment was made by the adjudicator Mr. Lindley Evans) in declaring Brenda Howarth the champion woman soloist, with Patricia Wyatt second The winner’s voice was an attractive soprano and her singing was intelligent and musical. Mr. Evans said. Romney Moran won the men’s solo championship. His baritone voice was described by the adjudicator as pleasant, and his performance as thoughtful, with accurate intonation. George Idle was second.
Much interest was aroused by the appearance of an eight year-old competitor in the open violin solo final. He was Geoffrey Michaels, whose playing has recently been praised to a degree that suggests a prodigy. Great Talent Regarding young Michaels, Mr. Evans said: “This was quite a remarkable exhibition for so young a player, being fluent and in time. This is, of course, very great talent, which should be very carefully nursed.”
Mr. Evans awarded the first prize to John Dean, whose playing he described as clear and careful, with fluent technique and true intonation. Geoffrey Michaels was second. The open piano solo was won by Janette Williams, whose playing of an “awkward” test piece was artistic and correct, Mr. Evans said.Roberta Manjon, whose tone and technique were declared to be satisfactory, won the piano solo (over 15 and under 18). Alan Speer was second. David Black and Alan Speer were first in the piano duet (under 18), with Adrienne Sinclair and Leslie Paterson second. Reviewing the festival, Mr. Evans said that the school choirs had been the outstanding feature, their singing having been exceptionally good. In the juvenile instrumental sections there had been much evidence of good teaching.
Following were the results of the juvenile sections- which were heard in the Perth Town Hall on Saturday afternoon. PIANO.–(Under 10): Maree Riddett, I; Roslyn Lang, 2. Solo (over 9, under 12): Barry Palmer and Susanne Maslen, dead heat, 1; Elsie Ottaway 2. Solo (over 12, under 14): Barbara Robinson, 1; Wendy Briggs, 2. Duet (under 13): Athena Hansen and Christine Hill, 1; Margaret Gallash and Barbara Carter 2. Solo (over 11, under 13): Pamela Goldsworthy and Donald McCully, dead heat, 1; Leslie Willcock, 2. Solo (over 13, under 16): Gwenyfred Zengheer-Herrmann, 1; Lynette Friere and Murray Burge, dead heat, 2. Duet (under 15): Helen Rudderham and Barbara Robinson 1: Elsie Ottaway and Rosalind Wasley, 2. VIOLN.–Solo (under 13): Brian Hanly, 1; Ashley Arbuckle, 2. Solo (under 15): Robert Ingram, 1; Ronald Thomas, 2. Solo (under 17): Pauline Thompson, 1; Norma Miller, 2. VOCAL.–Girls. Solo (under 16): Roberta Combs, 1; Natalie Sargent, 2. Boys. Solo: Barry Friere, 1; James Roger, 2.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Monday 14 July 1952, page 5
The programme to be given in Wesley Church on Tuesday evening by the Perth Philharmonic Society to assist the fund being raised to enable the local contralto Nancy Ellis to proceed to the United States for further study, will include a tribute to Dr. R. Vaughan Williams, who tomorrow celebrates his 80th birthday. It will take the form of a composition of his published in 1950, a Fantasia (Quasi Variazone) on the Old 104th psalm tune, for piano solo accompanied by chorus and orchestra (in this case, the organ). Nancy Ellis herself will contribute a group of songs and John Dean will play violin solos.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 11 October 1952, page 17
MUSICIANS AID FUND FOR SINGER (By P.K.). Songs by Nancy Ellis were the highlight of a concert which was held last night in Wesley Church in aid of a fund to send her abroad for further study. Her first song, “My Soul Rejoices” was a little unsteady and lacked the easy serenity that Bach’s songs demand. The Brahms item, however. contained much beauty and gave scope to the singer’s warm and vibrant tone. With closer attention to phrasing, dynamics and other musical “finishings” Miss Ellis should more than fulfill the expectations of those sponsoring the fund. A first Perth performance of Dr. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on the old 104th Psalm tune was the second feature of the programme. This work is a sequence of alternate piano and choral episodes-and the combination is not perhaps a very satisfying one. In this work and in the rest of the programme the Perth Philharmonic Society gave us some nicely balanced work. John Dean’s violin solos Bach’s “Arioso” and the ever popular “Ave Maria” had an extremely musical quality.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Wednesday 15 October 1952, page 6
University Awards.
In Music The following awards have been announced in connection with examinations in this State, held by the Australian Music Examinations Board: W.A. Music Scholarship and Violin medal: John DEAN (honours in seventh grade violin).
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 27 December 1952, page 7
1954
A delightful chamber-music evening in her home was arranged by Dr. and Mrs. E. W. Arndt of Nedlands. Well known young artists of Perth contributed, including Dr. and Mrs. Arndt’s daughter Louise, who has completed two years’ violin study in. Amsterdam and is now a pupil at the Melbourne Conservatorium. Louise is returning to Melbourne this week after spending her vacation at home. Shown in the picture are nine-year-old GEOFFREY MICHAELS of Claremont, tuning his violin, for the third movement of the Mendelssohn concerto; MONICA WEINMAN of Claremont, and DAWN BALDWIN of City Beach. Other artists who participated were John and Michael Dean and Keith Middleton.
Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 – 1954), Thursday 21 January 1954, page 18
MELBOURNE
FESTIVAL HIGHLY PRAISED Warmly praising ‘Dandenong’s Festival, Mr. Williams said that there might be larger competitions and a lot with bigger prizes, but he felt that this was one that was doing more than any other, because they were giving the opportunities to youth, and they were assisting them in the form of Scholarships to advance their training. That was something he had been trying to get the bigger competitions to adopt. ‘ln this Festival you have something that is a rare thing,” he added. “Tonight every seat in this hall should have been full. You should support this Festival. Believe me it is worth it. This is a great civic effort and something Dandenong should be proud of.” Mr. Williams went on to make a number of helpful suggestions. Cr. Keith Terry, ‘president of the Festival Committee, then presented the Scholarships, Plaques and certificates.
Plaques for the outstanding performers in the several sections went to: John Dean (Violin)
Dandenong Journal (Vic. : 1927 – 1954), Wednesday 12 May 1954, page 3
Dandenong Festival of Music and Art last night. prizewinners at the festival included:— Dandenong Festival Violin Scholarship.—John Dean, St. Kilda.
Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 8 May 1954, page 14
Fine work by choir
The madrigal singing of the Oriana madrigal choir, directed by Leonard Fullard, is one of the most enjoyable musical experiences Melbourne can offer. At the Assembly Hall last night the work of the choir in music by Wilbye, Weelkes, Pilkington, Richard Carlton, Robert Jones, Byrd, and Purcell was no hit-and-miss affair. The singers kept their eyes on the conductor, the pitch was almost unfailingly ac-curate, and the tone un-forced and well-balanced. Such good results, all too rare amongst our smaller musical groups, can only come as the result of really thorough and intelligent rehearsal, and deserve the highest praise. In a Bach cantata, de-spite some good singing by Betty Fairbank, the performance sank to the more familiar level of the potentially valuable. Handel’s wonderful sonata in D major for violin and continue, played by John Dean and Maryjean Officer, completed the programme. DORIAN LE GALLIENNE.
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), Saturday 6 November 1954, page 10
1957
In 1957, Horace Dean, a member of the first violins during the earlier years (1942 – 69) of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, had the pleasure of having his son john playing with him in the violin section of the orchestra. When a permanent position became available in the viola section, John moved to that instrument moving to the Principal chair several years later. John’s studies at the Melbourne University Conservatorium had been interrupted due to compulsory national service.
1958
TALENTED ARTISTS TO VISIT YORK
An all star cast of leading Commonwealth and State artists will give a Concert in the York Town Hall on Saturday, 30th August. The occasion is the one hundred and sixth Anniversary of the York Methodist Church. Geoffrey Michaels, the fourteen year old violin prodigy, who last month, playing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, won the A.B.C’s Commonwealth Concerto Competition will be featured. Miss Patricia Connop who was last year’s winner and is at the present the star of the “Mikado” now playing at the Capitol Theatre, together with George Idle who plays opposite her in the same show, will be among vocalists. Miss Dianne Hosking, one of Perth’s leading actresses, will present speech items and John Dean and Bob Ingram, of the Perth Symphony Orchestra, will contribute instrumental items. Miss Margo Robertson, a West Australian finalist of Mobil Quest and Mr Ian Conochie, a leading base soloist in the “Messiah”, will also be vocalists. Duo-pianists of State fame who will perform are Josephine McKimmie and Michael Bartram; Wendy Prosser and Alan Speer. This is the finest line up of talent this State and York has enjoyed for such moderate charges. To make the evening a social success fitting for the occasion supper will be served the admission fee of six shillings will cover this. To obtain a good seat it is advisable to book at Efford’s Pharmacy, Beverley.
Beverley Times (WA : 1905 – 1977), Friday 22 August 1958, page 4
1959
In 1959, John married soprano Margot Robertson.
1961
8pm Sat 5th August 1961 – FESTIVAL CONCERT TONIGHT – WINTHROP HALL
World Premiere of David Farquhar’s prize winning Concertino for Piano and Orchestra. First Performance in Australia – Chamber Concerto No. 3 for Bassoon, Strings and Percussion by Elisabeth Lutyens. David Tunley’s Introduction and Scherzo for Clarinet and Strings. Plus works by Dvorak, Grieg, Delius, Elgar, Walton and others. UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA conducted by Trevor Jones. Soloists: Michael Cole, Jack Harrison, Brian Pope. Assisting Artists: John Mowson, John Dean, Verdon Williams. Unreserved seats at door 10/ Students 7/6.
The West Australian Saturday July 15 1961
1966
MAY 1966 – MUSIC LOVER’S DIARY
The fourth programme in the A.B.C.’s free recitals in the Basil Kirke Studio this year will be held at 3pm tomorrow. Jack Harrison, Graham Wood, John Dean, Brian Meddemmen and Stephen Dornan will perform trios by Mozart and Shostakovich.
1967
September 24 1967 – MUSIC – By Peter Hellstrom
There will be an all Beethoven programme at tomorrow afternoon’s recital at the A.B.C. Basil Kirke Studio beginning at 3 o’clock. It will consist of the Septet in E flat and the Serenade in D. Op.8. The performers will be Graham Wood (violin), John Dean (viola), Brian Meddemmen (cello), John Mowson (bass), Jack Harrison (clarinet), Neil Pierson (French horn) and Jill Harrison (bassoon).
1968
Sunday February 29 1968 – FEW HEAR FINE RECITAL – By Sally Trethowan
Fewer than 30 people attended yesterday’s free Sunday afternoon recital in the Basil Kirke Memorial Studio to hear what must have been one of the finest given this year by Perth artists. The oboe playing of Peter Randall in Mozart’s Quartet for oboe and strings was so good that an unchartered listener might’ve thought it was a simple piece. Mr. Randall gave such purity and accuracy to the naturally sharp clear tone of the oboe as to make even the accompanying strings in this piece seem cloudy in effect. It was duly wistful in the doleful minor keyed slow movement and cheerful in the finale where the virtuosic double-tongued passages were given within incisiveness, clarity and extreme rapidity. Violinist Graham Wood led seven other instrumentalists Stanislaw Kowarski (violin) John Dean (Viola) Brian Meddemmen (cello) John Mowson (bass) Patrick Brislan (Horn) Jack Harrison (clarinet) and Jill Harrison (bassoon) in the four movement Octet for Wind and Strings by the modern English composer Howard Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson seems to have a particular affection for clarinet and horn, and the success of the performance to some extent pivoted on Patrick Brislan’s horn playing which allowed no imperfection of tone to mar its richness. The program ended with a reduced version of Richard Strauss’s tone poem “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks”. Originally scored for an orchestra of Wagnerian proportions of over 100 players, it was here rendered by five. Though without the percussion and heavy brass that in the full score are so graphic in describing the grotesque adventures of the mediaeval vagabond Till, it was a happy even witty performance. The final concert in the free Sunday afternoon series will be given in a fortnight.
1972 – LONDON
In 1972 John studied in Britain with Cecil Aronowitz. During this time he joined fellow Australians Ronald Thomas and Brenda Cullity as members of the English Chamber Orchestra.
1973 Coupled with Ashley Arbuckle, John was soloist with the orchestra in 1973.
1977
John was presented with medal for over 20 years service with the A.B.C.
1979
23rd April 1979 – Chamber Group off to a Good Start – By Derek Moore Morgan
The recently formed Wigmore Ensemble made its first public appearance last night with a delightfully varied program at the Octagon Theatre. A flexible group with no fixed numbers, it has the practical advantage of being able to present music of widely different genres some of which inevitably gets left on the shelf because it doesn’t quite fit a specific mould such as the string quartet or Trio. This was a University of W.A. music Society recital. The performers were Graham Wood and Ashley Arbuckle (violins), John Dean (viola), Jill Cole (cello), Neil Fisenden (flute), Jack Harrison (clarinet) and Anthony Maydwell (harp). The final item, Ravel’s atmospheric and beautifully crafted “Introduction and Allegro” brought all the players together to produce a nice degree of sonority and delicacy capturing much of the subtlety of the masterpiece. Starting with the Mozart Quartet for Flute and Strings in D major a mellifluous example of the composer’s earliest style, the players gave us a bright indication of the bubbling and effervescent Gatty of the Rondo finale. The British composer Frank Bridge, himself a viola player, wrote a whole body of telling string music. His little known Trio (Rhapsody) from 1928 proved to be a forward looking piece for the difficult unless usual combination of two violins and viola, with mysterious opening and closing sections surrounding an energetic central portion. The Italian composer Malpiero’s “Sonata a cinque” (1936) is an appealing piece of writing which hangs on the air like a haunting elergy. Anthony Maydwell’s expressive harp playing came to the fore here. The Quartet for clarinet and strings by Rawsthorne is another piece of chamber music which is deftly written and manipulates varying moods. Jack Harrison’s neatly inflected clarinet tone was well handled.
Sacks, Margaret. The Way 79 Who is Who. Crawley Publishers Pty Ltd, 1979.
1985
Sunday July 21 1985 – Perth Chamber Soloists – UWA Music Auditorium
Robert Cooper and Neil Barclay (violins), John Dean (viola) and Jill Cole (cello). Guest artist Jack Harrison (clarinet) performing Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet (Bliss).
2024 OBITUARY
John Dean was the longest-serving principal viola in the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra’s history from 1970 to 1989
John Dean, a former long-standing member of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) died on 6 August 2024, aged 90. Dean was a member of WASO for 33 years and was the longest-serving principal viola in the orchestra’s history.
Dean began studying the violin at the age of six with his father, Horace Dean, who was a WASO violinist from 1942 to 1969. In 1952, after studying with Vaughan Hanly, he was awarded an Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Scholarship to the Melbourne Music Conservatorium, where he studied with Boris Stupel.
In 1956, he returned to Perth to explore employment opportunities. Upon a viola position becoming vacant in WASO, he learnt alto clef and passed the audition.
He served as principal viola from 1970 to 1989, becoming the longest serving musician in that position in WASO’s history.
He was honoured by WASO with the title of emeritus musician for his 33 years of service to the orchestra.
Dean pursued further studies in London with Cecil Aronowitz in the early 1970s and became a member of the Mozart Players, the English Sinfonia and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
After returning to Perth, he joined the Oriel Quartet, the first West Australian group to tour the Eastern States for Musica Viva. He was also a founding member of the Perth Chamber Soloists, and the Australian String Teachers’ Association (AUSTA) – which annually supports the AMEB’s John Dean Award for Best 7th/8th Grade Strings Candidate.
As an educator, he held a ten-year teaching engagement at Perth Modern School and taught in Bunbury, as well as theory at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). He tutored for the University of Western Australia’s (UWA) Saturday morning music programme, as well as at local music camps and working as an AMEB examiner.
His work in the community saw him travel to perform in regional communities, giving recitals for UWA, and playing for ABC broadcasts. Dean appeared as a soloist with WASO on several occasions, including a performance of Berlioz’s Harold in Italy.
Dean is survived by his three children and wife, soprano Margot Robertson.
https://www.thestrad.com/news/australian-principal-violist-john-dean-has-died-aged-90/18458.article