Obituary: Australian violinist, violist and educator Alan Bonds

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The Australian violist, violinist and string pedagogue Alan Ernest Bonds died on 22 August 2026, aged 77. He was a lasting figure in Western Australia’s classical music scene for more than four decades as a performer and educator.

Bonds studied at the University of Western Australia (UWA). He became concertmaster of the Australian Youth Orchestra while he was studying and led the orchestra on its 1970 tour to Japan.

Additionally, he studied composition at UWA, winning the J Hodges Composition Prize in his third year.

Following his graduation from UWA in 1973, he studied and performed in the UK before returning to Australia in the 1980s. He was one of the founding faculty members of the Conservatorium of Music in Western Australia (now known as the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts – WAAPA), appointed by the inaugural dean of music, Richard Gill.

He taught both violin and viola students, co-directed the institution’s programme for high school students and taught classes in string and orchestral pedagogy, conducting, orchestration, as well as form and analysis. He founded the Stirling Quartet, which became the academy’s resident quartet.

He later relocated his viola studio to UWA, teaching within the University’s academic programme, and brought up a generation of successful young musicians. In 2008, he assisted in reviving the Exhibition Programme at UWA, which provided high-school musicians with training and mentoring.

Bonds played an active role in the establishment and growth of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra (WAYO), working as a conductor, tutor and serving at board level.

Bonds was an active composer and arranger throughout his life, creating numerous editions and arrangements of works for string ensemble and viola. His edition of Schubert’s ‘Arpeggione’ Sonata has been downloaded more than 50,000 times from IMSLP.

The WAYO paid tribute to Bonds on social media: ‘A wise and intelligent man, Alan will also be remembered for his warmth, sharp humour, gift for storytelling and unwavering dedication to the craft, always putting music and the inspiration of others first and foremost.’

UWA said: ‘His significant contributions to music in WA and at UWA, and the impact of his legacy as a teacher, will continue to resound for many years to come.’