William Southgate

Sir William David Southgate (born 4 August 1941) is a New Zealand conductor and composer. He was the first New Zealand-based artist to be knighted (as a Knight Bachelor, in 1994).

Biography Southgate was born in Waipukurau in 1941 to Alfred John and Phyllis (née Maden) Southgate, and grew up in Otago. He showed an interest in music early in life and at about the age of five, he discovered a pianola which encouraged him to learn the piano. At the age of nine, he recorded in his diary that he had decided to dedicate his life to music.

Southgate attended Otago Boys' High School from 1954 to 1959 and afterwards, the University of Otago. He graduated with Master of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees, both with first class honours, and also taught composition, instrumentation and fugue. Among his pupils was his future wife, Rosemary Martin. They were married in 1967.

Works Southgate has composed three symphonies. His Second Symphony is subtitled Music from the Old World. The symphony includes allusions to New Zealand birdsong, for example the bellbird, kea, tui and grey warbler. At the conclusion of the symphony, a recording of actual birdsong is heard.