Peter James Ross, B.Mus.Ed., Dip.Ed., Dalc.Dip., M.A.
Died 22 August 2021
MHS Staff 1975-1977 and 1979

MHS since it’s beginning has been blessed with outstanding music teachers – now called Director of Music. Coming to mind are Frederick Earp, the legendary Charles Breen who composed the school song, Raymond Fehmel, Peter Larsen, Bruce Worland to name a few. Peter Ross was in that tradition.

Tradition builds on itself and incoming music teachers inherit a school willing to make music and with talented students who are used to making music in many forms Ross taught at University High School before coming to MHS in 1975, leaving in 1979 to become Director of Music at Wesley College.

He quickly became heavily involved with the music programme, taking over the School Choir at the end of Term 2 when Mr Bates left, including arranging the music performed by the Choir.  He organised a successful Choir trip in 1976 organising and supervising a trip to Albury.  He was promoted to Director of Music from 1977, replacing Geoffrey Bellsham-Revell on his departure.  1979 saw an expanded tour of Northern Victoria with 37 students performing at a number of towns in a trip overseen by Peter.

Peter also conducted Music Camps at Tecoma. 1977 was of course the Jubilee Year, with Peter involved in the concert and dance. He formed the group the MHS Singers. In 1978 he took a year's leave to study at Columbia University in the U.S.A., completing his Masters of Arts.

Lou Barberis noted in the 1979 Speech Night Programme that: 

“I cannot speak too highly of the contribution of Mr. Ross since his appointment to the school in late 1975. His musical talent, his impressive presence, his scholarship and his devotion to his task have enlarged the musical perspectives of the school and ensured the continuation into the future of its fine musical tradition. We offer Mr. Ross our congratulations on his appointment and our best wishes for fulfilment of all his ambitions.”

Peter’s funeral can be viewed here

Luke Savage, Honorary School Archivist and Alan Gregory, Honorary School Historian