Retired School of Music professor Allan Thomas passed away early last month at age 68, following a 16-month illness.
Thomas served Victoria University for 30 years, retiring in 2007. Some of his contributions to the university included the establishment of an Ethnomusicology specialisation for music students and the donation of his personal papers to the Alexander Turnbull library.
A specialist in the music of Tokelau and Vanuatu, Thomas’ research into New Zealand music led him to combine with Maori Studies to develop a course on Maori music within its cultural context. He also served as Director of the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies from 1995-1997 and most recently collaborated on a book about Taonga Puoro with Richard Nunns.