The funeral of well-known and respected music tutor Malcolm Garth was held last Friday – he died after a short battle with luekemia.
Malcolm’s brother in law Ian Baskin told The Echo that Malcom taught Byron Bay’s primary and secondary students for over ten years.
Baskin said, ‘He also taught at Brunswick Heads. During that time, musicians under Mal’s tutelage played one of his own compositions in the Sydney Opera House.’
‘He co-ordinated the bridging program for years six and seven, so that there was a much smoother transition from primary to high school.
‘Mal’s smiling face helped many a new high school student feel more quickly at home and he supported music students at Byron High through to their HSC exams.
Original music
‘During his time at Byron High he taught Donavan Miller, who went on to become the drummer for the Butcher Birds. Other bands Mal inspired include Jessibel, Parkway Drive and Stan Walker, winner of Australian Idol 2009. He taught a broad range of musical instruments from sax to guitar, and inspired many to write their own music.
‘In the last couple of years, Malcolm taught a number of the local Byron Bay High music students as a volunteer, helping disadvantaged students to achieve outstanding results.’
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