The ANU School of Music community is mourning the loss of Michael Sollis, who sadly passed away late last week. Michael was in the School’s PhD program and was widely recognised not only as a fine musician but as an artist whose work extended far beyond music alone.

He worked extensively across professional and community settings, including through Musica Viva and the National Folk Festival where he served as co-artistic director. He led the Griffyn Ensemble, regarded as the ACT’s leading new music ensemble and one of the most unique in the country, and he collaborated closely with many Indigenous composers and musicians among numerous other engagements. Often working as a performer, musical director, composer, curator and more, his legacy signals for all of us that music practice takes on deeper meaning when situated within the communities around us.

Michael originally studied as an undergraduate at the ANU, including composition studies at the School of Music, before completing an Honours degree in anthropology and musicology. He went on to work in industry for many years before returning to the School a few years ago as a PhD candidate.

Michael had struggled in recent years with cancer, yet his positivity remained admirable and he was always a valued presence within the School. His wife, Kiri, teaches flute at the School of Music, and the community extends its warmest wishes to her and to their family during this time of grief.