Derek Williams (musician)

{{Short description|British composer (born 1952)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = non_performing_personnel | name = Derek Williams | image = Derek Williams Portrait (cropped).jpg | image_size = 150px | caption = Williams at Reid School of Music | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|9|20|df=y}} | birth_place = Gisborne, New Zealand | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = {{hlist| composer | music arranger | conductor | producer | musician}} | genre = {{hlist|opera | musical theatre | classical | jazz fusion}} | spouse = | website = {{URL|derekwilliams.net}} | years_active = 1972–present | label = Mushroom Records }} '''Derek Leslie Williams''' (born 20 September 1952) is a New Zealand-born Scottish composer, record producer, conductor, and orchestrator known for his scores for ''The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'', ''Bodysurfer'', ''Children of the Dragon'', ''Come in Spinner'', ''The Crossing'', ''Crush'', ''Frauds'', ''The Other Side of Paradise'', ''Ring of Scorpio'', ''Seven Deadly Sins'', ''Thank God He Met Lizzie'', ''Visionaries'', and for Frank Bennett, Stella Cole, Glenfiddich, Sir Robert Helpmann, Grace Knight, Debbie Newsome, Caroline O'Connor, Mikkel Rønnow and Torvill and Dean.<ref name ="Daily Post feature">Skiffington, Toni. (1 February 1997). 'Derek came out to find success and become a role model'. Page 14 (full page). ''Rotorua Daily Post''</ref><ref name="The Source">{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Shawn |date=30 April 2026 |url=https://thesource.com/2026/04/30/the-man-that-got-away-only-he-didnt/ |title=The Man That Got Away — Only He Didn’t |pages= |access-date=29 May 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260501221028/https://thesource.com/2026/04/30/the-man-that-got-away-only-he-didnt/ |archive-date=1 May 2026 |publisher=The NorthStar Group |work=The Source (magazine)}}</ref> He is currently serving his 9th term as Chair of the Wagner Society of Scotland,<ref name = 'Wagner Society'>{{Cite web |title=The Wagner Society of Scotland |url=https://wagnerscotland.net/ |access-date=5 June 2025 |language=en}}</ref> a member of the International Association of Wagner Societies (RWVI)<ref name="RWVI">[https://www.richard-wagner.org/rwvi/en/about-us/our-members/?member_filter=51&society_id=138 Members > Scotland]. RWVI.</ref> and at the 2024 Assembly of Delegates at Deutsche Oper Berlin, he was elected to serve a 5-year term as board member of the RWVI Presidium.<ref name="WSoS Scotsman">{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/must-read/wagner-society-of-scotland-sir-donald-runicles-live-festival-event-and-a-chance-to-join-friendly-society-4708760 |title=Wagner Society of Scotland & Sir Donald Runicles: Live Festival event and a chance to join friendly society |date=19 July 2024 |access-date=30 May 2026 |publisher=National World |work=The Scotsman }}.</ref><ref name="RWVI Presidium">[https://www.richard-wagner.org/rwvi/en/about-us/committee/ 'Committee']. (2 June 2024). International Association of Wagner Societies.</ref>

Williams was awarded a doctorate by the University of Edinburgh under Nigel Osborne and Peter Nelson for composition of his eponymous opera ''Wilde''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231201042047/https://www.rcs.ac.uk/staff/christina-dunwoodie/ Christina Dunwoodie - Lecturer, Vocal Performance]. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. (18 July 2017). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzVAJg0ufMg&list=PLGg0RrLVvXD58W_lQhfAy_4H1iHOpEJNA&index=2 ''Derek Williams (Composer) – Christina Dunwoodie interview'']. YouTube. Scotland.</ref> He is a Fellow of Trinity College London,<ref name="Godspell">'On The Scene: Two musical directors handle Godspell'. 26 April 1980: ''Rotorua Daily Post''.</ref><ref name="Williams Qualifications">'The Arts'. (12 June 1985). 'Teacher Continues Aloha Association'. p. 24. ''Rotorua Daily Post''</ref> and an Honorary Member of the Music Arrangers Guild of Australia.<ref name="Law Review">{{cite news |url = https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/noted-scottish-arranger-joins-american-singer-stella-cole-danish-conductor |title=Noted Scottish arranger joins American singer Stella Cole & Danish conductor Mikkel Rønnow Sunday at Copenhagen Tivoli |last = |first = |publisher = National Law Forum L.L.C.| work = The National Law Review |volume = XVI |issue = 104 |date = 14 April 2026 |access-date = 2 May 2026 |page = |via = }}</ref><ref>[https://www.memberleap.com/members/directory/profile_maga.php?mid=2751374227 Member Profile: Derek Williams]. ''Music Arrangers Guild of Australia.''</ref> Williams is a civil rights activist known for his 'Save Sibelius' campaign in the United Kingdom (2012–2013).<ref name="MacUser">Banks, Adam. (17 August 2012). "Avid hits bum note with Sibelius", ''MacUser''. p. 14. Publisher: Dennis Publishing (London)</ref><ref name="ZDNet Article">{{Cite web |last=Schofield, Jack |date=7 August 2012 |title=Users petition Avid to sell Sibelius music software arm |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/users-petition-avid-to-sell-sibelius-music-software-arm/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |publisher=ZDNet |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Audio Podcast">{{Citation |title=The Audio Podcast 67 Sib Synth Notation | date=6 August 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xxbYUIgBOg |access-date=4 June 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Since 2007, he has taught Composition and Orchestration at the Edinburgh University Reid School of Music.<ref name="PhD">{{Cite web |title=Derek Williams |url=https://alumni.ed.ac.uk/alumni/services/profiles/graduation/2010s/derekwilliams |access-date=26 June 2025 |website=The University of Edinburgh |date=17 April 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

==Career== Williams first came to public notice in 1974 when he founded the New Zealand School of Music, through which with conductor Juan Matteucci he established the first non-university tertiary level qualification for conductors of music in the Southern Hemisphere.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Music school to form symphony orchestra |date=25 January 1977 |work=National Library of New Zealand |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/30724641?search%5Bi%5D%5Bcategory%5D=Newspapers&search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=New+Zealand+School+of+Music&search%5Bpath%5D=items}}</ref><ref name = "Auckland Star">(22 July 1976). "I think... yes... I've got it!". Front page. ''Auckland Star'' (New Zealand)</ref>

As a chorister, Williams performed in the 640 voice Third International Choral Festival at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts under Robert Shaw with Peter Godfrey's Auckland University Festival Choir, as well as at The White House,<ref name="WhiteHouseReception">{{Cite web |title=First Lady's Press Office (White House Central Files: Staff Member and Office Files) {{!}} Richard Nixon Museum and Library |url=https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/finding-aids/first-ladys-press-office-white-house-central-files-staff-member-and-office-files |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=www.nixonlibrary.gov}}</ref> the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the United Nations<ref name="United Nations concert">VIDEO from 26'10": (28 April 1972). [https://media.un.org/avlibrary/en/asset/d887/d887083 ''Third International University Choral Festival'']. ASSET ID 887083. United Nations Audio Visual Library.</ref> and at Westminster Abbey and King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

As arranger, orchestrator, conductor and musician commissioned by international artists Stella Cole,<ref name="The Source" /><ref name="Law Review" /> Caroline O'Connor,<ref>{{Citation |title=Caroline O'Connor sings at the opening concerts of Melbourne's Hamer Hall June 2012 | date=25 September 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KjhVe9eFac&list=PL21A7EB78B9746A5B&index=2 |access-date=20 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Sir Robert Helpmann,<ref name = "Helpmann full of praise">(27 October 1981). "Author full of praise" (Sir Robert Helpmann). ''Waikato Times'', New Zealand.</ref><ref name = "Max Cryer review">Cryer, Max. (25 October 1981). "Hamilton produces ambitious musical" and "Kitsch Aloha goes down a real treat". p. 9. ''New Zealand Times''</ref> Torvill and Dean, Grace Knight, Frank Bennett, Debbie Newsome, Sir Howard Morrison, and prominent Australian screen composers Martin Armiger, Guy Gross, and Antony Partos, Williams is also known for his reorchestrations of tracks from hit records.<ref name="Cash Landing">''[https://www.discogs.com/release/6772144 Cash Landing]''. EMI Music Australia. ''Discogs''.</ref> His commissions have been performed in the Glass Hall (Tivoli Gardens) Copenhagen, the Royal Albert Hall,<ref name="RAH">[https://catalogue.royalalberthall.com/record/performance/PERF20070506 'The Night of 1000 Voices, in aid of The National Autistic Society and the National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS)']. 6 May 2007. Ref: RAHE/1/2007/36 Royal Albert Hall archives.</ref> Garrick Theatre and Kings Place (London), at the Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall, Melbourne, Australia, and at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Williams was the orchestrator and conductor of the Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra for Guy Gross's music for Stephan Elliott's ''Frauds'', starring Phil Collins, Hugo Weaving and Josephine Byrnes, and was choral and instrumental arranger of Gross's music for Elliott's Oscar winning film ''The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.'' He was the orchestrator and conductor for Martin Armiger's music for ''The Crossing'', starring Russell Crowe, and was orchestrator for the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra for Antony Partos' music for ''Crush'' that was winner of Best Film Score at New Zealand Film and TV Awards and Best Sound Track.<ref>[https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/crush-1992/awards New Zealand On Screen, ''Crush'' awards]. NZ On Screen.</ref> Williams was arranger and conductor for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation double-platinum album ''Vince Jones & Grace Knight – Come in Spinner'' from the ABC miniseries ''Come in Spinner'' for record producer Martin Armiger, which won the ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album, peaked at No 4 on the ARIA Charts, and became the highest selling jazz album in Australian history with sales exceeding 230,000 copies.<ref>[https://events.humanitix.com/wendy-matthews-and-grace-knight Wendy Matthews & Grace Knight]. 13 March 2026. ''Humanitix''.</ref> He was producer, arranger and conductor for Frank Bennett's EMI Music album ''Cash Landing'', nominated at ARIA Music Awards of 1999 for Best Adult Contemporary Album.<ref name="ARIA1999">{{Cite web |title=ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1999 |url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519015907/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1999 |archive-date=19 May 2011 |access-date=26 March 2018 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)}}</ref><ref>Holmes, Peter (3 October 1999). "Vote Early, Vote Often". p. 18. ''The Sun-Herald'' (Sydney, Australia)</ref> He was composer for Ruaridh M. Turner's ''The Beast in the Storm'', which won Order of Merit in the Indie Fest<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award of Merit Winners October 2016 |url=https://theindiefest.com/past-winners/award-of-merit-winners-october-2016/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=theindiefest.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and Best Action/Thriller/SciFi – Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=October 2016 Winner |url=http://laiffawards.com/october-2016-winner.html |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=A home for your amazing films |language=en}}</ref>

In 2016, Williams was conductor of the Lothian Festival Orchestra for live performances of ''The Snowman'' at St Mary's Collegiate Church, Haddington<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q8jx37SyJM Derek Williams Snowman Live - Close up + Rehearsal Conductor Cam 10DEC2016]. 10 December 2016. St Mary's Collegiate Church, Haddington. ''YouTube''</ref> and in 2021 he was conductor of the Linlithgow String Orchestra<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dobie |first=Fiona |date=24 May 2022 |title=Bo'ness church hosts Linlithgow String Orchestra's Hits from the Musicals |publisher=National World |work=Falkirk Herald |url=https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/boness-church-hosts-linlithgow-string-orchestras-hits-from-the-musicals-3706349 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330133053/https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/boness-church-hosts-linlithgow-string-orchestras-hits-from-the-musicals-3706349 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=30 May 2026}}</ref> and Abbotsford String Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abbotsford String Orchestra |publisher=New Music Scotland |url=https://newmusicscotland.co.uk/event-detail/5940/ |access-date=30 May 2026 |website=newmusicscotland.co.uk}}</ref> In 2026, Williams was commissioned by Danish conductor Mikkel Rønnow and American jazz singer Stella Cole to adapt arrangements he had originally scored for Caroline O'Connor in 2005, for concerts at the Glassalen Copenhagen.<ref name="Rønnow Musicals">{{Cite Web |last1=Cole, Stella |last2=Rønnow, Mikkel |date=19 April 2026 |title=Stella Cole • The Glass Hall Theatre • Tivoli |url=https://musicals.dk/concert/stella-cole-concerts/?lang=en |location=Copenhagen |access-date=25 May 2026 |website=musicals.dk/ }}</ref><ref name="The Source" /><ref name="Law Review" />

==Biography==

{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=220 | image1 = Derek Williams & Michael Palin (RGS President).jpg | caption1 = Derek Williams & Sir Michael Palin (President Royal Geographical Society) at the 2012 AGM. ''(Photo: Russell McGuirk)'' | image2 = | caption2 = Royal Geographical Society launch of Andrew Goudie's ''Great Desert Explorers''<ref>Goudie, Andrew. Great Desert Explorers. Society for Libyan Studies, 2016. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvk8w11t. Retrieved 26 April 2023.</ref> with a chapter on Claud Williams. From left: Derek Williams, Andrew Goudie, Russell McGuirk (editor of Claud's book pictured).<ref>Williams, Claud (2013). [https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvk8w1sf ''Light Car Patrols 1916–19'']. Publisher: Royal Geographical Society. {{ISBN|9781900971157}}. (London)</ref> ''(Photo: Brendan McGuirk)'' | footer = }}

Born 1952 of Agnes ('Nancy') Williams (née Anderson) of Bathgate, Scotland (office clerk) and New Zealander Edward ('Ted') Williams (farmer). Early childhood in Gisborne, New Zealand and Rotorua, studied at Rosmini College (Auckland) 1964–1970. Studied Music 1971–74 at University of Auckland under Charles Nalden, Douglas Mews and Peter Godfrey, winning the Professor Hollinrake Memorial Scholarship<ref>University of Auckland [https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/calendar/archive/1974-calendar.pdf Calendar 1974], 'Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards – AU Scholarships 1973', p. 527. New Zealand.</ref><ref>[https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/hollinrake-memorial-prize-p181-cai.html Professor Hollinrake Memorial Scholarship]. University of Auckland.</ref> and Senior Scholarship Award<ref>University of Auckland [https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/calendar/archive/1975-calendar.pdf Calendar 1975] 'Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards – AU Scholarships 1974', p. 547. New Zealand.</ref> as BMus graduate.<ref name="Godspell" /><ref name="Williams Qualifications" /> Studied piano with Mary Nathan,<ref>Caroll, Penelope. (24 March 1994). [http://natlib-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=NLNZ&docId=INNZ7115628550002837&tab=innz&tabs=detailsTab ''There's always room for one more – Mary Nathan'']: sec. 2, p. 5. ''The New Zealand Herald''. National Library of New Zealand.</ref> Milford. Admitted Fellow of Trinity College, London in 1977.

Descended from Henry Williams, a missionary, and Marianne Coldham, an educator,<ref name = "WilliamsGenealogy">Evans, Rex (1992). [https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collection/object/am_library-catalogq40-55282 ''Faith and Farming Te Huarahi Ki Te Ora'', 'Descendants of Williams, Henry and Coldham, Marianne: Williams, Derek'. pp. 22–30.] Publisher: [https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_person-p-7a6eea3e4b52faa0229ac002b46a89c8fca3f182 Evegean Publishing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429232130/https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_person-p-7a6eea3e4b52faa0229ac002b46a89c8fca3f182 |date=29 April 2023 }}. {{ISBN|0908951175}} (hbk.) Auckland War Memorial Museum</ref> Williams' grandfather, Claud Williams, was a noted explorer of the Libyan Egyptian desert during World War 1<ref>Andrew Goudie, University of Oxford. (2016). [http://www.societyforlibyanstudies.org/shop/silphium-press/great-desert-explorers/ ''Great Desert Explorers'']. pp. 3, 76, 220, 223–237. Royal Geographical Society. (London).</ref> who was awarded the Military Cross for his ''Report on the Military Geography of the North-Western Desert of Egypt'' (War Office Handbook),<ref>Harold, Jim (2005). ''[https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_41156_en.pdf Deserts, Cars, Maps and Names]''. Publisher: University of Northumbria</ref> used by the Long Range Desert Group in the Tobruk campaign against Rommel. In 2010, the Royal Geographical Society co-opted Williams as family representative for its publication of Claud's autobiographical memoir, ''Light Car Patrols 1916–19'',<ref>Williams, Claud (2013). [https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvk8w1sf ''Light Car Patrols 1916–19'']. Derek Williams acknowledged p. 154. Editor: Russell McGuirk. Publisher: Royal Geographical Society. JSTOR: {{ISBN|9781900971157}}. (London)</ref> and he was guest speaker at the 2013 book launch.<ref>Hughes, Sally (21 October 2013). [https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/across-the-desert-in-a-model-t/ Review: ''Across The Desert In A Model T'']. The National Archives (United Kingdom)</ref>

===New Zealand=== ====International choral tour==== [[File:In_Auckland_University_Festival_Choir_uniform_in_NYC.jpg|140px|thumb|right|Williams (L) age 19 in Auckland University Festival Choir uniform by Colin Cole<ref>[https://www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz/colin-cole/ Colin Cole]. New Zealand Fashion Museum.</ref> with friend after the choir's Lincoln Center performance (26 April 1972).]] <!-- {{multiple image|perrow = 2 | align = right | total_width = 500 | image_style = border:none;

| image1 = | width1 = 1500 | height1 = 1072 | alt1 = AUFC Lincoln Center | caption1 = '''(2.1)''' Auckland University Festival Choir performance at the Lincoln Center, conducted by Peter Godfrey,<ref name = "PeterGodfrey" /> CBE, during the third Lincoln Center International Choral Festival<ref name = "InternationalChoralFestival" /> April 1972. Derek Williams back row, 5th from left. Uniforms by Colin Cole.

| image2 = | width2 = 1500 | height2 = 1072 | alt2 = AUFC at UN.1 | caption2 = '''(2.2)''' UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim (2nd from right) presiding. Willi Gohl conducting 640 voice massed university chorus at the United Nations, April 1972. Derek Williams 5th row from front right side, 2nd from right. | footer = }} --> World tour as a chorister with the 40-voice Auckland University Festival Choir,<ref>Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). (12 October 1971. Page 3894. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vVAhAQAAIAAJ&dq=auckland+university+festival+choir&pg=PA3894 Parliamentary Debates Sept. 22–Oct. 28 1971. Questions and Replies: 'Auckland University Festival Choir']. (New Zealand).</ref><ref>(June 1972). 'The Choir in America. pp. 13–15. ''University of Auckland News Vol. 2, No. 4'' (New Zealand)</ref> conducted by Professor Peter Godfrey, a King's College, Cambridge alumnus and founder of the New Zealand Choral Federation and the Symphonia of Auckland.<ref>[http://www.thearts.co.nz/artists/peter-godfrey Peter Godfrey]. (1922–2017). Arts Foundation of New Zealand.</ref> During the 3rd International University Choral Festival, at the United Nations, the choir participated in a massed chorus of 16 international choirs conducted by Willi Gohl,<ref name="United Nations concert" /><ref>Tagger, Jutta. (15 April 2010). [http://icb.ifcm.net/en_US/memoriam-willi-gohl-1925-2010/ ''In Memoriam Willi Gohl 1925–2010'']. International Federation for Choral Music</ref> followed by a concert of 640 voices on 30 April 1972 at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts<ref>{{cite news |last=Marcato |first=Ben |date=2 May 1972 |title=End of Lincoln Choralathon (review) |page=50 |publisher=Daily News Enterprises |work=New York Daily News |location=New York }}</ref> New York under Robert Shaw.<ref>Sherman, Robert. (2 May 1972). [https://www.nytimes.com/1972/05/02/archives/choirs-from-16-countries-stir-audience-at-festival-finale.html ''Choirs From 16 Countries, Stir Audience at Festival Finale'']. ''New York Times''. US</ref><ref>Sharp, Tim and Prucha, Christina. (23 February 2009). Arcadia Publishing. p. 83. ''Images of America''. Shaw, Robert. American Choral Directors Association. {{ISBN|9781439621127}}. (Charleston SC, Chicago IL, Portsmouth NH, San Francisco CA).</ref> During the US tour, the choir also performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and at a White House reception with the First Lady, Pat Nixon,<ref name="WhiteHouseReception" /><ref>(7 April 1972). 'On The Go'. p. 7C. ''Democrat and Chronicle''. (Rochester, New York).</ref> on the eve of the breaking of the Watergate scandal. In the United Kingdom, the Festival Choir performed at Westminster Abbey and at King's College, Cambridge in a joint concert with King's College Choir with Sir David Willcocks. They were met by composer Benjamin Britten and tenor Peter Pears for the choir's recital at the Snape Maltings<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last1=University of Auckland Festival Choir |title=Report of activities, September 1970 –September 1972 |last2=Godfrey |first2=Peter |publisher=The Choir |year=1973 |location=Auckland |oclc=152892521}}</ref>{{rp|33}}<ref>[https://www.bpacatalogue.org/archive/PPA-CHARLTON 'Letter arranging a visit from the University of Auckland Choir to Snape Maltings']. Reference: PPA/CHARLTON. ''Britten Pears Arts Integrated Catalogue''. Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears</ref><ref>[https://www.bpacatalogue.org/archive/BBA-AUCKLAND_UNIVERSITY 'Manuscript and typescript correspondence from Peter Godfrey and Margery Charlton, of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and typescript copy letter from Britten's secretary.']. Reference: BBA/AUCKLAND_UNIVERSITY. ''Britten Pears Arts Integrated Catalogue''. Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears</ref> and the choir won praise<ref>''Auckland Star''. 13 May 1972. [http://natlib.govt.nz/records/30789582?search%5Bil%5D%5Bprimary_collection%5D=findNZarticles&search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=Auckland+University+Festival+Choir ''University Choir Has Won Praise'']. National Library of New Zealand</ref> for its performances in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Singapore. In 1998, there was a CD re-release<ref>(1998). [http://www.kiwipacific.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=59&products_id=103 'UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND FESTIVAL CHOIR – New Zealand Choral Music']. Kiwi Pacific Records.</ref> of its LP, recorded straight after the world tour.<ref>National Library of New Zealand. (1971–1973). [https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23239111?search%5Bil%5D%5Bcreator%5D=University+of+Auckland+Festival+Choir&search%5Bpath%5D=items 'University of Auckland Festival Choir : Report of activities / by Peter Godfrey']. Ref: MSY-4511. Ref: MS-Papers-6155.</ref> Lauded as the "best choir New Zealand has produced",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mahoney |first=Desmond |date=29 May 1972 |title=Best choir NZ has produced |pages=5 |work=Auckland Star}}</ref> Godfrey's Festival Choir continued to hold decennial reunions until his death in 2017.<ref>[https://nzcf.org.nz/about/news/50-years-auckland-university-festival-choir 50 Years On']. 5 May 2022. New Zealand Choral Federation.</ref>

====New Zealand School of Music====

In 1974, Williams founded and until 1978 was governing director of the New Zealand School of Music Ltd<ref>(December 1974). 'School of music in Gisborne on its way'. ''Gisborne Herald'' (New Zealand)</ref> under the patronage of the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Dove-Myer Robinson and with the conductor of the Symphonia of Auckland, Maestro Juan Matteucci,<ref>Hewitson, D. (1965). 'SALIENT: VICTORIA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' PAPER. VOL. 28, NO. 6'. [http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Salient28061965-t1-body-d46.html Juan Matteucci: The Man And His Music]. Wellington, New Zealand)</ref> he established the first non-university tertiary level qualification for conductors of music in the Southern Hemisphere.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/30709810|title= Unique course opening for conductors |last= |first= |publisher=| work=New Zealand Herald |volume=12 |issue=p156 |date=5 March 1976 |access-date=8 May 2026 |page= |via=National Library of New Zealand }}</ref><ref>Inkster, Ian (Autumn, 1976). 'A Course for Conductors'. p. 12. ''New Zealand Arts Horizon''. (Auckland, New Zealand)</ref> Williams was also a course participant.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=30 March 1976 |title=Student at his own school |publisher=Stuff (company) |work=North Shore Times |page= |via=NewspaperArchive}}</ref> This made the front page of the Auckland Star,<ref name = "Auckland Star" /> and featured women conductors, including Alexandra Wiltshire who went on to become the first woman to conduct a major opera in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wiltshire, Alex, active 1970-1980s |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23531331 |work=National Library of New Zealand |date=7 April 1981}}</ref><ref>[https://www.pianoaccompanists.com/profile-alex-wiltshire Alex Wiltshire]. Official site: ''pianoaccompanists.com/''.</ref> Wiltshire later was a conductor of the Australian production of Cats at Theatre Royal, Sydney, for which Williams was also a keyboardist, for several hundred performances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiltshire |first=Alexandra |title=Self esteem and the demand for approval in theatrical performers |url=https://doi.org/10.25916/sut.26275291 |date=1 January 1992 |access-date=14 May 2026 |publisher=Swinburne University of Technology }}</ref> There followed a similar course for percussionists,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/30779374 |title=Women May Beat On Male Domain |last= |first= |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment | work=The New Zealand Herald |volume=12 |issue=p251 |date = 8 September 1976 |access-date=4 May 2026 |page= |via=National Library of New Zealand }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://natlib.govt.nz/records/30779387 |title=Drumming course draws one woman - Good vibrations galore |last=Maxwell |first=Susan |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment | work=The New Zealand Herald |volume=12 |issue=p254,270 |date=23 October 1976 |access-date=4 May 2026 |page=3 |via=National Library of New Zealand }}</ref> and an Orchestral Training Scheme to be headed by Matteucci with Symphonia section leaders was announced, however this was shelved after funding failed to materialise.<ref>Inkster, Ian (Autumn, 1977). 'Orchestral Trainee Scheme to be launched'. p. 23. ''New Zealand Arts Horizon''. (Auckland, New Zealand)</ref><ref>(25 January 1977). 'Orchestra To Give Students Pro Touch'. ''The New Zealand Herald''</ref><ref>(28 January 1978). 'Second chance music school'. ''Auckland Star'' (New Zealand)</ref>

====Rotorua====

During his tenure as teacher in charge of Music at Rotorua Boys' High School from 1979 to 1985, Williams was performer and musical director for numerous community productions, including ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' starring Rob Guest<ref>Martin, Matthew. (1 October 2008). [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/superstar-rob-guest-dies-at-57/EVZVTK3A3DS7YIUETL7GNIMHWU/ 'Superstar Rob Guest dies at 57']. ''Rotorua Daily Post''.</ref><ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/our-view-legacy-of-rob-guest-lives-on-in-rotorua/YJYH3MIXZUGLLN3UUBNEGYHYLA/ 'OUR VIEW: Legacy of Rob Guest lives on in Rotorua']. 2 October 2008. ''Rotorua Daily Post''.</ref> and as joint MD with Peter Lette for the Rotorua Operatic Society's 1980 production of ''Godspell'' at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.<ref name="Godspell" /> In 1982, Williams was also keyboards player for Sir Howard Morrison.<ref name = "Daily Post feature" /> In 1984, he was seconded from teaching to work as a computer programmer of educational applications for New Zealand schools on the Poly-1<ref>Derek Williams and Linda Slater-Hayes. (August 1984). [https://classic-computers.org.nz/bits-and-bytes/downloads/NZ-bits-and-bytes-issue-2-11.pdf ''Polys in action at Rotorua'']. pp. 68–69 (scroll to pp. 85–86 in PDF doc). ''Bits & Bytes'' (New Zealand)</ref><ref name = "Daily Post feature" /> that allowed New Zealand educators to design and deliver curricula on class computer networks.<ref>[http://www.cs.otago.ac.nz/homepages/andrew/poly/media/kiwinuggets3.pdf 'The Poly 1 Educational Computer']. "The Poly computer was at least eighteen months ahead of the Acorn BBC Micro computer." University of Otago. (New Zealand).</ref>

====''Aloha''====

In 1981 Williams was orchestrator and musical director for the world première and cast album of Eaton Magoon Jr and Sir Robert Helpmann's Hawaiian musical ''Aloha'',<ref>[https://heritage.hamiltonlibraries.co.nz/objects/14710/aloha Aloha]. Accession number: HCLE_00416, Hamilton Heritage Collections.</ref> starring Derek Metzger and directed by Robert Young for Hamilton Operatic Society at the Founders Theatre. ''Aloha'' received favourable reviews, with the New Zealand Herald reporting, "Derek Williams' orchestra helps to make the evening a success,"<ref>Day, Paul. (19 October 1981). Review: ''Hamilton Says Aloha To Musical''. Founders Theatre. ''The New Zealand Herald''.</ref><ref name = "Max Cryer review" /><ref name = "Helpmann full of praise" /> and a cast recording produced by Carl Doy was made of the show at Mandrill Studios.<ref>(1981). [https://search.worldcat.org/title/1111633973?oclcNum=1111633973 ''Aloha : a spectacular new musical'']. OCLC Number / Unique Identifier: 1111633973, ''WorldCat.''</ref><ref>Magoon, Eaton, Jr, 1922–2018, Metzger, Derek, 1962–, Williams, Derek, 1952–, Helpmann, Robert, Sir, 1909–1986. (1981). [https://natlib.govt.nz/records/45278135 ''Aloha : a spectacular new musical / music and lyrics by Eaton Magoon Jnr'']. Musicals > Excerpts > Anthony Norton Collection, ATL-Group-00433: National Library of New Zealand.</ref><ref>[http://castalbums.org/recordings/Aloha-1981-New-Zealand-Cast/1293 'Aloha > New Zealand Cast']. Vinyl. 1981. Producer: Carl Doy.</ref> The world premiere was followed in 1985 by a Michael Edgley revival production at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, directed by Joe Layton, also starring Metzger and Hollywood actress Patricia Morison, with Williams continuing as production arranger and musical director.<ref name="Williams Qualifications" /><ref>Kwok, E.D. (15 July 1985). 'NZ–US Talent Blends Well in Aloha.''The New Zealand Herald''</ref>

===Australia===

From 1985, Williams was musical director and keyboards player for productions at Australia's Wonderland,<ref>(1985–1986). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3-w_YOTCA8&list=PLV9rwry7yHBlFDxGznlNXCuZJi4looNTR&index=52 ''Solid Gold'' show – Gold Nugget Theatre]. Wonderland Sydney. (Australia). YouTube</ref> Phillip Street Theatre,<ref name = "Cinderella">[https://web.archive.org/web/20251128061649/https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/61163 ''Cinderella''] Phillip Street Theatre ''AusStage''. (Sydney, Australia).</ref> Glen Street Theatre and Sydney Theatre Restaurants Ltd and from 1985 to 1988 he was orchestrator for the Australian Singing Competition,<ref>Bowles, John. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhxoFu9X2ro '1988: John Bowles. Finals Concert of the Australian Singing Competition.']. YouTube. Australian Singing Competition. (Sydney, Australia).</ref> initially at the Sydney Opera House. He was also a keyboards player for over 400 performances of ''Cats'' for Cameron Mackintosh<ref name = "Daily Post feature" /><ref>Cameron Mackintosh. (26 July 1985 – 1 August 1987). [https://web.archive.org/web/20251124062807/https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/101874 ''Cats'']. Theatre Royal, Sydney. AusStage. (Australia).</ref> at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, the longest running show in Australian history, and for its 1994 revival by the Really Useful Group at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney.<ref>Really Useful Group. (31 December 1994). [https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/24259 ''Cats'']. Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney. AusStage. (Australia).</ref> Following the success of Australian Broadcasting Corporation's ''Come in Spinner (miniseries)'' and platinum spin-off album ''Vince & Grace'', Williams continued as musical director and arranger for the CD launch and Grace Knight's promotional tour for Kevin Jacobsen, as well as for tours with Perfect Match star, Debbie Newsome.

Williams was an early adopter and exponent of digital music technology, using two Kurzweil K250 ROM sample instruments in his orchestrations for the ill-fated Australian Bicentenary musical ''Manning Clark's History of Australia - The Musical'', one of whose composers was record producer and film composer Martin Armiger. Williams thereafter began working with Armiger in various roles for 15 film and TV scores and was also orchestrator and conductor for leading screen composers Guy Gross and Antony Partos.

In 1989, Williams and Armiger were called as expert witnesses in the Federal Court of Australia supporting a copyright infringement case<ref>Copyright – Restitution. Guy Gross v. CBS Records and Collette Roberts. (28 September 1989). [http://mcir.usc.edu/cases/1980-1989/Documents/FULLCASE-CbsRecordsAustraliaLimitedvGuyGross.doc.pdf Transcript] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401144534/http://mcir.usc.edu/cases/1980-1989/Documents/FULLCASE-CbsRecordsAustraliaLimitedvGuyGross.doc.pdf |date=1 April 2017 }}. No. G337 of 1989 FED No. 601 AIPC para 90–627 15 IPR 385. (Sydney, Australia)</ref> brought by Guy Gross against CBS Records Australia Limited and Collette Roberts, with the court finding in the defendants' favour. Also in 1989, Williams was choral arranger and pianist for Torvill and Dean's album ''Here We Stand'',<ref>''[https://www.discogs.com/Torvill-Dean-Here-We-Stand/release/9184144 Here We Stand]''. Vinyl & CD. 1989. Hammard – HAM 196. ''Discogs''</ref> produced by Kevin Stanton, and recorded while Christopher Dean was laid up in Sydney, recuperating from a torn ligament.<ref>(June 1989). [http://www.torvillanddean.com/history Torvill & Dean History (1989). Official site.] Torvill and Dean. (Sydney, Australia)</ref>

From 1995 to 1997, Williams was musical director and Conductor of the Orchestra and Choir of the Waverley-Randwick Philharmonic Society,<ref name = "Daily Post feature" /><ref>( 10–16 November 1995). 'Orchestra in Randwick'. p. 29. ''Sydney Morning Herald-Metro'', ''Music – Sunday''. (Australia).</ref><ref>Paine, Michelle. (14 November 1995). ''Musicians Unite''. p. 24. ''The Messenger''. Sydney, Australia.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrps.com.au/|title=Eastern Sydney Chamber Orchestra & Choir}}</ref> while studying conducting with Myer Fredman. {{multiple image | align = right | total_width = 220 | image_style = border:none; | image1 = Caroline_O'Connor_at_Night_of_1000_Voices.jpg | width1 = 1000 | height1 = 700 | alt1 = Night of 100 Voices.1 | caption1 = ''The Night of 1000 Voices 2007'' concert at the Royal Albert Hall, starring Caroline O'Connor. }} In 1998, Williams was record producer, arranger and conductor for Frank Bennett's album ''Cash Landing'' for EMI Music Australia,<ref name="Cash Landing" /> which was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album (1999)<ref>Holmes, Peter (3 October 1999). 'Vote Early, Vote Often'. p. 18. ''The Sun Herald'' (Sydney, Australia)</ref> and from 1989 to 2006, he was a Higher School Certificate examiner and advisor in Music and Computing Studies for the New South Wales Board of Studies while teaching at Randwick Boys High School (1985–2006).<ref name = "Daily Post feature" />

In 2005, Williams began a long-standing association with Caroline O'Connor as arranger for her show ''End of the Rainbow'' at the Sydney Opera House<ref>[https://www.opera.org.au/artists/caroline-oconnor ''Caroline O'Connor'']. Opera Australia.</ref> and for her album ''A Tribute to Garland''<ref>''[http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/28561343 A tribute to Garland (sound recording) / Caroline O'Connor.]''. Trove. Australia.</ref><ref>(December 2005). Caroline O'Connor. ''[https://www.discogs.com/release/11171813 A Tribute to Garland]''. Discogs</ref> recorded at the Opera House, and launched in an outdoor big band concert in Sydney's Taronga Park<ref>''Tribute to Garland''. (2005). Taronga Park, Sydney. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCLF5B6ToZk&list=PL21A7EB78B9746A5B&index=16 ''Caroline O'Connor Sings "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby"'']. YouTube</ref> with Williams as keyboardist. Williams was also commissioned as arranger for her debut performance at Kander and Ebb – ''The Night of 1000 Voices'' on 6 May 2007, at the Royal Albert Hall, produced by Hugh Wooldridge and conducted by David Firman with John Kander present,<ref name="RAH" /><ref>(6 May 2007). [http://www.hughwooldridge.com/gallery/the-night-of-1000-voices-2007 ''The Night of 1000 Voices 2007'']. Royal Albert Hall, London.</ref> subsequently for her Garrick Theatre season of ''The Showgirl Within'',<ref>Fox, Johnny. (29 September 2010). [https://londonist.com/2010/09/music_review_caroline_oconnor_-_the/ 'Music Review: Caroline O'Connor – The Showgirl Within @ Garrick Theatre'] ''londonist.com'' website.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='How Lucky Can You Get?' Caroline O'Connor – Derek Williams Arranger | via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl8zCDNFuBs&list=PL21A7EB78B9746A5B&index=11 |access-date=16 August 2024 |location=Garrick Theatre, London |date=17 June 2015}}</ref> and for the opening of Hamer Hall, Melbourne.<ref>James, Erin. (5 June 2012). [https://www.aussietheatre.com.au/news/k-d-lang-and-caroline-oconnor-among-stars-to-sing-at-hamer-hall-re-opening 'Caroline O'Connor and k.d. lang among stars to sing at Hamer Hall re-opening']. ''aussietheatre.com.au'' website.</ref><ref>O'Connor, Caroline. (26 July 2012). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KjhVe9eFac&index=8&list=PL2D349CD1E7C41114 ''How Lucky Can You Get?'']. Hamer Hall, Melbourne. YouTube.</ref>

===Scotland=== {{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=400 |align=right |image1=Derek_Williams,_Nigel_Osborne,_Ermin_Elezovic.jpg |caption1=Nigel Osborne Balkans Music Therapy camps. From left: Derek Williams, Nigel Osborne, Ermin Elezovic at the rebuilt Mostar Bridge. |image2=Mimi,_Nigel_and_Derek.jpg |caption2=''It Was 50 Years Ago Today'' Bootleg Beatles concert. From left: Mimi Serbedzija, Nigel Osborne, Derek Williams at Echo Arena. | footer_align = center | footer = Projects with Nigel Osborne }} {{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=400 |image1=Derek_Williams,_Stella_Cole,_Mikkel_R%C3%B8nnow_at_Glassalen_Tivoli_Theatre.jpg |caption1=From left: arranger Derek Williams, singer Stella Cole, conductor Mikkel Rønnow, Glassalen 19 April 2026<ref name="The Source" /> | image2 = Derek Williams conducting McOpera (Scottish Opera) Orchestra and Calma Carmona recording Glenfiddich 21yo ad.jpg | caption2 = Derek Williams conducting 'McOpera' (Scottish Opera) Orchestra with Calma Carmona recording Glenfiddich 21yo whisky ad at Gorbals Sound.<ref name="Glenfiddich Vimeo">Glenfiddich distillery. [https://vimeo.com/140916634 'Glenfiddich 21 Year Old – The Finishing Touch']. 21 October 2015. Vimeo. [http://www.gorbalssound.co.uk/ Gorbals Sound Recording Studio]. Gorbals.</ref> | image3 = Harry Leutscher (L), Derek Williams, Sir Donald Runnicles (zoomed & cropped).png | caption3 = RWVI Congress at Deutsche Oper Berlin 2024, from left: Harry Leutscher (President), Derek Williams (Chair Wagner Society of Scotland), Sir Donald Runnicles (Conductor)<ref name="WSoS Scotsman" /> | image4 = Derek Williams with Katharina Wagner and Eva Wagner-Pasquier.png | caption4 = From left: Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Katharina Wagner with Derek Williams, Scottish delegate at the 2019 RWVI Congress in Venice. | footer_align = center | footer = }}

Williams was répétiteur and assistant conductor for Edinburgh Grand Opera's production of ''Faust,''<ref>( 12–15 March 2008). [https://www.flickr.com/photos/43675100@N08/8543834861/in/dateposted/. Poster.] Edinburgh Grand Opera. ''Faust''. Edinburgh Festival Theatre. (Scotland)</ref> and was musical director for the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group's production of ''Salad Days'' for the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He was also Funding Manager for Edinburgh Studio Opera<ref name="PhD" /> and the Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble.<ref>Walton, Kenneth. (11 March 2009). ''Shoestring section''. Classical & Opera: ''The Scotsman''.</ref>

In 2008, Williams joined with Professor Nigel Osborne in his Balkans Music Therapy camps in Mostar and Rakovica for Bosnian War orphans, on behalf of Edinburgh University. He was also commissioned by Osborne to create Vienna Symphonic Library transcriptions of his orchestral arrangements for the Bootleg Beatles concerts ''It Was Fifty Years Ago Today'', with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall<ref>(1 June 2017). [https://web.archive.org/web/20161016015423/https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2017/it-was-fifty-years-ago-today/ " 'It Was Fifty Years Ago Today' A Concert celebrating Sgt Pepper and the Summer of Love"]. Bootleg Beatles. Royal Albert Hall. (London, UK)</ref> and Echo Arena Liverpool.<ref>Osborne, Nigel. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 'It Was 50 Years Ago Today'". Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. YouTube. (England).</ref><ref>Jones, Catherine. (1 June 2017). [https://www.artscityliverpool.com/single-post/2017/06/01/Review-It-Was-50-Years-Ago-Today- Review: It Was 50 Years Ago Today ****]. ''Arts City Liverpool''. (United Kingdom).</ref>

In 2013, Williams' one act opera ''Medea''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8drpwBq238&index=4&list=PL5B5621F6986BDF6D ''Medea''], YouTube</ref><ref>Burton, Tara Isabella. (25 August 2013). [http://broadwaybaby.com/shows/medea-greece-meets-west/28212 ''Medea: Greece Meets West'']. ''Broadway Baby''. (Edinburgh, Scotland)</ref><ref>Johnson, Jean. (2015). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHrfl4WpmCo&index=4&list=PLGg0RrLVvXD58W_lQhfAy_4H1iHOpEJNA ''Jean Johnson Interview'']. (Edinburgh, Scotland)</ref> received its world premiere at the Edinburgh Jazz Bar during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and was repeated at Edinburgh University's Reid Concert Hall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2014 |title=Concerts in the University of Edinburgh from 1841: Derek Williams |url=https://www.reidconcerts.music.ed.ac.uk/composer/williams-derek-1952.html |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=15 February 2026 |publisher=University of Edinburgh }}</ref><ref>Williams, Derek. (31 January 2014). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXz7YzKlhKM&index=3&list=PL5B5621F6986BDF6D 'Medea (Act 2) 2014']. Edinburgh University. (Scotland). YouTube.</ref>

In 2015, Williams was arranger, conductor and composed additional music for the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Whisky ad campaign featuring Calma Carmona performing the Franz Ferdinand song ''Love Illumination'' with the orchestra of the Scottish Opera arranged and conducted by Williams, which gained 1.7&nbsp;million hits on YouTube.<ref>(8 November 2012). [https://www.lbbonline.com/news/glenfiddich-appoints-gravity-thinking ''Glenfiddich appoints Gravity Thinking'']. ''Little Black Book''.</ref><ref>Hugh Francis Anderson. [https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/glenfiddich-whisky ''Glenfiddich: Whisky – but not as you know it''].''The Gentleman's Journal''.</ref><ref>Spary, Sara. (23 October 2015). [https://www.campaignlive.com/article/glenfiddich-creates-visible-sound-waves-fusion-art-science/1369724 ''Glenfiddich creates visible sound waves in fusion of art and science'']. ''Campaign''.</ref><ref name="Glenfiddich Vimeo" /> In 2018, the Hindemith Trio commissioned and performed the world premiere of Williams' ''The Traveller'' for the ''Fondazione Giorgio e Aurora Giovannini'' at the Parma Conservatory, Italy.<ref>''Due Nuove Composizioni nel Programma di Sabato''. Derek Williams & [http://www.composers21.com/compdocs/talmella.htm Andrea Talmelli]. ''{{ill|Il Giornale di Reggio|it}}'', (30 June 2018), p. 2. [http://www.edumus.com/it/organizzatori/fondazione_giorgio_e_aurora_giovannini Fondazione Giorgio e Aurora Giovannini]. edumus.com website.</ref>

Williams was elected Chair of the Wagner Society of Scotland in 2017,<ref name = 'Wagner Society' /> and has presented lectures on The Third Reich, Wahnfried, Siegfried Wagner and the Christianity of Richard Wagner.<ref>[https://edinburgh.academia.edu/DerekWilliams/Talks Derek Williams talks]. Academia.edu.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/@WagnerSocietyOfScotland ''Wagner Society of Scotland'']. YouTube</ref> He represents the Society at the Bayreuth Festival and at the annual RWVI Congress,<ref name = "RWVI" /> and since June 2024 has served on the RWVI Presidium.<ref name= "RWVI Presidium" /><ref name="WSoS Scotsman" />

In Spring of 2026, Williams was commissioned by Danish conductor Mikkel Rønnow and American jazz singer, Stella Cole to refashion arrangements of the Judy Garland classics "The Man That Got Away" and "Almost Like Being in Love" he had scored in 2005 for Caroline O'Connor at the Sydney Opera House and Taronga Park, for concerts at the Glass Hall (Tivoli Gardens) ("Glassalen") Theatre in Copenhagen.<ref name="The Source" /><ref name="Law Review" /> The concerts played to capacity audiences, who gave spontaneous standing ovations, and received favourable reviews, with Danish critic Michael Søby describing the orchestra as "extraordinarily well-played" and "The Man That Got Away" as one of the highlights.<ref name="Rønnow Musicals" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Søby |first=Michael |title=STELLA COLE (Musical concert in Glassalen, Tivoli) |date= |access-date=4 May 2026|publisher=Medier |work=chpculture.dk |url= https://cphculture.dk/stella-cole-musical-koncert-i-glassalen-tivoli/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rod |first=Ivan |date=20 April 2026 |title=Stella Cole sang evergreens med forudsigelig sentimentalitet – og det virkede |url=https://gaffa.dk/anmeldelser/2026/april/koncerter/stella-cole-glassalen-i-tivoli-190426/ |magazine=Gaffa (magazine) |location=Copenhagen |publisher=Gaffa A/S |access-date=22 April 2026|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kaae |first=Niels |date=20 April 2026 |title=TikTok sangstjerne fylder Glassalen i Tivoli |url=https://outandabout.dk/tiktok-sangstjerne-fylder-glassalen-i-tivoli/ |magazine=Out&About |location=Copenhagen |publisher=outandabout.dk |access-date=22 April 2026}}</ref>

==Civil rights activism==

==='Save Sibelius' campaign===

{{main|Sibelius (scorewriter)}}

{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=220 | image1 = Derek Williams delivers the Sell Sibelius petition.jpg | caption1 = 3 October 2012: Derek Williams at BASCA, London, delivering his 'Sell Sibelius' petition with 11,590 signatures to Bobby Lombardi, new managing director of Sibelius. | image2 = | caption2 = | footer = }}

On 19 July 2012, the 'Save Sibelius' activist group was formed by Derek Williams to try to future-proof the Sibelius scorewriter application after Avid Tech fired all but three of the Sibelius development team and closed their London office to relocate jobs offshore to Ukraine and California.<ref>{{Cite news |title=UPDATE 1-Avid to sell certain products, cut jobs |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/02/avid-divestiture-idUSL3E8I25RI20120702/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024112042/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/02/avid-divestiture-idUSL3E8I25RI20120702 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |access-date=20 February 2025 |agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="ZDNet Article" /> Williams co-opted Richie Vitale and a small team of other musicians to petition Avid to reverse their decision. Because of past experience with orphaned music technology and abandonware such as the Mosaic notation program and OMS, it was feared that the Sibelius application would likewise ultimately cease development, thereby leaving its users without updates to ensure the application would remain compatible with future operating system upgrades.<ref>4–25 July 2012. [http://www.sibelius.com/cgi-bin/helpcenter/chat/chat.pl?com=thread&start=600438&groupid=3&guest=1 ''OT – Sibelius London Office to close'']. Sibelius Software. (London, England)</ref>

To raise public awareness among the half million Sibelius users, the group launched a Facebook campaign,<ref name="SaveSibelius Facebook">[https://www.facebook.com/SaveSibelius/ Save Sibelius!]. ''Facebook''</ref> duplicated on Google Plus.<ref>[https://plus.google.com/106823884456206668093 Save Sibelius!]. Google Plus</ref> Within its first week, 485,000 Facebook hits were generated, with 12,000 followers joining the page, alongside growing music industry media interest.<ref>(30 July 2012). ''[https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=289083&qt-forum_new=0 Save Sibelius campaign]'', ''Sound on Sound''. Mac Music forum. Publisher: SOS Publications Group (Cambridge, England)</ref><ref name="MacUser" /><ref>Williams, Derek. (December 2012). ''Sibelius users speak out'', 'American Federation of Musicians'. p. 10. Publisher: [http://www.Local802afm.org Local802] (New York)</ref> The Avid board of directors, who had been targeted by a letter writing campaign initiated from the Save Sibelius website, began issuing public reassurances on their own blog websites<ref>Kloiber, Martin . (23 July 2012). ''[http://community.avid.com/blogs/avid/archive/2012/07/23/avids-commitment-to-sibelius.aspx Avid's Commitment to Sibelius]'', 'Avid Community'. Publisher: Avid Tech (Cramlington, United Kingdom)</ref> and social media that they intended to keep Sibelius alive. After Williams' 6 August 2012 Podcast interview with ''The Audio Podcast'',<ref name="Audio Podcast" /> there followed a BBC Radio 4 radio interview about the campaign on ''You and Yours'' with composer Paul Mealor on 24 August 2012, indicating that Sibelius users were not convinced.<ref>Mealor, Paul. (24 August 2012). ''Sibelius Software'', ''You and Yours''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20181206160415/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00xyysb Transcript] p. 14. Publisher: ''BBC Radio 4. ''(London)</ref>

In October 2012, after attempts by the Finn brothers and other investors approached by the group to buy back the application from Avid proved unsuccessful, Williams launched a Change.org petition called "chris-gahagan-senior-vice-president-of-products-sell-sibelius" to try to persuade Avid Tech to divest itself of Sibelius.<ref name="ZDNet Article" /> After reaching 11,590 signatures, the petition was presented by Williams in person to Sibelius Software executives from Avid invited to an extraordinary meeting held by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) at its London offices on 3 October. Amid subsequent collapsing share performance that involved Avid's delisting by NASDAQ,<ref>Castellanos, Sara. (24 February 2014). ''[https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/techflash/2014/02/nasdaq-suspends-trading-delists.html Avid to be delisted from Nasdaq]''. Publisher: ''Boston Business Journal'' (Boston)</ref> Avid Tech CEO Gary Greenfield stepped down,<ref>McAdams, Deborah D. (11 February 2013).[https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/avid-ceo-switch-greenfield-out-hernandez-in 'Avid CEO Switch: Greenfield Out, Hernandez In']. TV Technology.</ref> while Bobby Lombardi was replaced by long-time Sibelius employee Sam Butler as the new Sibelius product manager.<ref>Rothman, Philip. (6 January 2014). [https://www.scoringnotes.com/people/sam-butler-named-as-new-product-manager-for-sibelius/ ''Sam Butler named as new Product Manager for Sibelius'']. Scoring Notes. (New York)</ref>

Central to the Save Sibelius campaign were the issues of orphaned technology, abandonware, planned obsolescence, asset stripping, and the perceived impact of Avid Tech's actions on employees, shareholders and consumers. The firing of the Sibelius development team led directly to their engagement by the Yamaha Corporation subsidiary Steinberg to develop a rival application to Sibelius. Williams ended the campaign in February 2013, after Steinberg announced they had hired the majority of the former Sibelius development team to develop Dorico, under the stewardship of former Sibelius product manager, Daniel Spreadbury.<ref>Clark, Kevin. (15 November 2012). ''[https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/keeping-score-spreadbury-speaks-on-sibelius-team-transition/ Keeping Score: Spreadbury Speaks on Sibelius Team Transition]''. Publisher: ''New Music USA'' (New York)</ref><ref>(20 February 2013). ''[http://cdm.link/2013/02/sibelius-core-team-now-at-steinberg-building-new-notation-tool/ Sibelius Core Team Now at Steinberg, Building New Notation Tool]''. Publisher: ''Create Digital Media'' (Berlin, Germany)</ref><ref>Spreadbury, Daniel. (20 February 2013). ''[http://blog.steinberg.net/2013/02/welcome/ Welcome!]''. Publisher: ''Steinberg'' (Boston)</ref>

The Facebook 'Save Sibelius' campaign created by Williams and Vitale remains active, with 9,300 followers.<ref name="SaveSibelius Facebook" />

=== LGBT+ rights activism ===

{{main|Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association}}

{{multiple image |align=right |width=220 |image1=Derek_Williams_(right)_holding_Edinburgh_University_Staff_Pride_Network_banner.jpg |caption1=Williams (R) holding banner.<ref name="SPN Committee">{{Cite web |date=3 June 2020 |title=Contacts and Committee |url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity/edi-groups/staffpride-network |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=The University of Edinburgh |language=en}}</ref> | footer = Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network, Pride Edinburgh 2024 }}

After having worked with New Zealand Labour Party MP Fran Wilde in support of her Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986,<ref name = "Daily Post feature" /> from 1990 Williams became involved with LGBT rights in New South Wales Australia, initially as a witness for a discrimination case brought by Redjoy Pty Ltd (trading as 'Gai Expectations') against Sydney City Council Employees Credit Union, interviewed on Nine Network's ''A Current Affair'' by Eric Campbell.<ref name= "Green Left">{{Cite news |last=Singerman |first=Deborah |date=27 November 1991 |url=https://www.greenleft.org.au/1991/37/out-closet-and-classroom |title=Out of the closet and into the classroom |publisher=Green Left Association |work=Green Left (newspaper) |issue=37 |access-date=30 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150731043158/http://camp.org.au/law-reform-period/activist-groups/gay-lesbian-rights-lobby-1988-anti-violence-project Committee, Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby AGM, July 1990]. (Source: Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby Annual Report 1988–1989). ''Wayback Machine''. (Sydney, Australia)</ref>

In 1991, amid a spate of murders of gay men by school-age youths,<ref name="Goddard, Martyn 1991 Page 39">Goddard, Martyn (6 April 1991). 'Seeds Of Tolerance: In The Gay Killing Fields'. p. 39 (full page). ''Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum''. (Australia)</ref> Williams co-founded and was six times re-elected co-convenor of the Gay & Lesbian Teachers & Students Association (GaLTaS),<ref>Singerman, Deborah (18 January 1992). 'Testing Time for School Gays'. p. 36. ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (Australia)</ref><ref>[https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-726941951/view?partId=nla.obj-726952421#page/n19/mode/1up ''Combatting Homophobia'']. ''Education:'' Vol 73 No 5, 27 April 1992. New South Wales Teachers Federation. Trove</ref><ref name= "Green Left" /> established to publicise widespread problems of anti-gay bullying and violence in Australian schools, and to provide support to its victims. In March 1993, GaLTaS was awarded a Federal National Youth Grant of $30,000 (=c.$72,947.57 equivalent in 2026)<ref>[https://www.inflationtool.com/australian-dollar/1993-to-present-value?amount=30000&year2=2024&frequency=yearly Inflation Calculator].</ref> by the Australian Government to assess the scale of school-based homophobia.<ref>(24 March 1993). ''In Brief : Help for gay victims''. p. 4. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''</ref> From May 1993, Williams began to call on the parliament to remove private schools' LGBT+ related exemptions from the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.<ref>Kirk, Sigrid. (19 May 1993). 'Call to ban school discrimination.' Page 3. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. (Australia)</ref>

In the course of his GaLTaS co-convenorship, while teaching at Randwick Boys High School, Williams worked with New South Wales Education Minister Virginia Chadwick, MP Clover Moore, Australian Medical Association President Kerryn Phelps, Parents and Citizens (P&C), PFLAG, the New South Wales Teachers Federation, New South Wales Anti-discrimination Board and NSW Police concerning ongoing issues of school homophobia.<ref>Powell, Sian (7 October 1993). 'Govt bid to outlaw racism, sexism in schools'. Page 3. ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (Australia)</ref> During GaLTaS' active period, Williams frequently appeared in press and television coverage of LGBT issues, including the ''Today Show'', ''The 7.30 Report'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation ''Attitude'' program<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2022 |title=Attitude {{!}} Library Sales – ABC Commercial |url=https://www.abccommercial.com/librarysales/program/attitude |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518110154/https://www.abccommercial.com/librarysales/program/attitude |archive-date=18 May 2022 |access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref> Nine Network's ''60 Minutes'' and the TV series ''Sex'' episode "Homosexuality",<ref name="Daily Post feature" /><ref>Lee, Sophie. (19 March 1992). Sydney Morning Herald. Page 24. ''Television''. "Homosexuality". Nine Network. (Australia).</ref> and was interviewed by Quentin Dempster, Eric Campbell and Sophie Lee.

In 1997 Williams addressed the Parliament of Australia forum on youth suicide convened by then Prime Minister, John Howard,<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2023 |title=House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/hansard/reps/commttee/r3503500.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205223010/https://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/hansard/reps/commttee/r3503500.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref><ref>28 February 1997. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170215064902/http://camp.org.au/90s/124-event-1997 Prime Minister John Howard hosts a forum on youth suicide. Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association (GaLTaS) and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) speak at the forum]. Canberra. Sydney's Pride History Group. ''Wayback Machine''.</ref> working with PFLAG who also attended. In the same year, he was a GaLTaS witness in submissions on behalf of LGBT+ teachers and students to the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission under Chris Sidoti<ref>Sidoti, Chris. (March 1998). ''[https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/pdf/human_rights/discrimination_sexual_pref.pdf Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Report of Inquiry into a Complaint of Discrimination in Employment and Occupation. Discrimination on the ground of sexual preference.]'' HRC Report No. 6. (Australia)</ref><ref>December 1997. [https://web.archive.org/web/20180310081817/http://camp.org.au/90s/124-event-1997 'The Human Rights Commissioner, Chris Sidoti condemns the Catholic Education Office for refusing Jacqui Griffin's employment in 1993 when she was the co-convenor of GaLTaS']. Sydney's Pride History Group. ''Wayback Machine''. (Sydney, Australia)</ref> and the Justice James Roland Wood Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service.<ref>David Humphries and Jennifer Cook. (27 August 1997). 'Wood's main recommendations' and 'MP's say 'no' to consent proposal'. Page 7. ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (Australia)</ref>

In 1998, GaLTaS was absorbed into the New South Wales Teachers Federation as a Special Interest Group,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Interest Groups |url=https://www.nswtf.org.au/get-involved/special-interest-groups/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=NSW Teachers Federation |language=en-AU}}</ref> with Williams as a founding member. Since 2008, Williams has been active in LGBT+ politics in Scotland and in 2018, was co-opted as Meetings Secretary of the Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network.<ref name="SPN Committee"/><ref>[https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/staffpridenetwork/2020/04/16/lgbt-network-of-networks-in-higher-educations-networks-got-talent-showcase-dereks-entry/ ' LGBT+ Network of Networks in Higher Education's Networks Got Talent Showcase: Derek's Entry'] – (Video). Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network on YouTube.</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&v=886023885342753/ 'Pride Month 2021'] – (Video). Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network on ''Facebook ''.</ref>

==Credits== ===Filmography===

Commissioning composers: Martin Armiger, Guy Gross, Antony Partos, Roy Hubermann, David Kimber

Commissioning organisations: Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Nine Network, EMI Music Australia, Festival Mushroom Records, Picture This Music, John Singleton Ltd

Derek Williams credited as Arranger, Orchestrator, Composer, Associate Composer, Conductor or Musician in the following moving image works:

====Film==== * ''The Beast in the Storm'', Turner Gang, (2016) composer, orchestrator, musician, audio engineer * ''Hildegarde'', Screen Australia, (2001) orchestrator * ''Empire'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, (1997) orchestrator * ''The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'', PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, (1994) orchestrator * ''Frauds'', J & M Entertainment, (1993) orchestrator, conductor, composer – additional music * ''Crush'', Australian Film Council, (1992) orchestrator * '' Blinky Bill'', Yoram Gross Productions, (1992) orchestrator, conductor * ''The Crossing'', Beyond International Group, (1990) orchestrator, conductor, piano, composer – additional music * ''Ring of Scorpio'', Film Finance Corporation Australia, BBC Television, and Nine Network, (1990) orchestrator, conductor, composer – additional music * ''The Rainbow Warrior Conspiracy'', Seven Network, (1989) arranger, orchestrator

====Television==== * ''Glenfiddich 21yo'' – TV & Online Media Campaign (2015) composer additional music, arranger/orchestrator, conductor, mixing and mastering engineer * ''Hard Knox'', Peter Bloomfield, (2001) orchestrator, composer – additional music * ''Thank God He Met Lizzie'', Stamen Films Ltd, (1997) orchestrator * '' Seven Deadly Sins'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, (1993) arranger, musician * ''The Other Side of Paradise'', Network Ten, (1992) orchestrator, conductor, composer – additional music * ''Children of the Dragon'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, based on Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, (1991) orchestrator, conductor * ''Police Rescue'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, (1992) composer – additional music, arranger, keyboard programming * ''Come in Spinner (miniseries)'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, (1990) arranger, orchestrator, conductor * '' Body Surfer'', Ian Barry (1989) orchestrator, conductor, musician * ''The Last Resort'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation, (1988) orchestrator, conductor, composer – additional music * Seven Network TV Sports ID's, and Station ID ''Let's Celebrate '88'' (1988)

====Documentary==== * ''Mail Porter'', Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, (2015) composer, orchestrator, musician, audio engineer * ''Plot for Peace'', (2013) orchestrator – ''Empire'' * ''The Making of Longbird'', Edinburgh College of Art (2012) musician * ''Black Swan'', Antony Partos (1995) orchestrator * ''Widows'', Roy Hubermann – Australian movie (1994) arranger, orchestrator * ''The Wonderful World of Dogs'', Mark Lewis, (1990) composer – additional music * '' In Grave Danger of Falling Food'', 220 Productions – Bill Mollison (1989) composer, arranger, orchestrator, musician * ''Flashbacks'', Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1988) audio engineer

===Discography===

{| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Artist / producer !Derek Williams credited as !Genre !Record label !Format !ID !Notes |- |2015 |''Mail Porter'' |Sandie Jamieson for Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh |composer, orchestrator, musician, audio engineer |Documentary |Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation] |DVD |{{IMDb title|tt7264372|Mail Porter|(Video 2015)}} |Historical documentary prior to move to Little France site |- |2009 |''Encounters'' The Edinburgh Quartet |Derek Williams |producer, composer | Classical |Edinburgh University |2 CD |{{ASIN|B07B1TMNYV}} |funded by the Roberts Fund |- |2005 |''A Tribute to Garland'' |Caroline O'Connor |arranger, orchestrator, musician |Musical theatre |Artists Unlimited |CD | |Recorded at the Sydney Opera House |- | rowspan="2" |2004 | rowspan="2" |''Glen Wood Tap, The Syllabus'' | rowspan="2" |Glen Wood | rowspan="2" |composer, musician, sound recordist | rowspan="2" |Tap dance | rowspan="2" |Glen Wood Tap |DVD set | | rowspan="2" | |- |CD set | |- | rowspan="4" |1998 | rowspan="2" |''Cash Landing'' | rowspan="2" |Frank Bennett | rowspan="2" |producer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor | rowspan="2" |Jazz, Pop | rowspan="2" |Capitol, EMI Music Australia, Virgin |CD Album |EMI UPC = 7243 4 98085 2 2 |ARIA Award nomination |- |CD Single |Virgin UPC = 7243 8 86610 2 7 |''Opportunities'' |- |''Australian Dance Assessment Program'' | Penelope Lancaster |producer, arranger, pianist, sound recordist |Ballet |ADV |4 CD | | |- |''New Zealand Choral Music'' |Auckland University Festival Choir, conductor Peter Godfrey |chorister |Classical Choral |Kiwi Pacific Records International Ltd |CD |SLD-108 |Recorded after 1972 world tour |- |1994 |''The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'' |Guy Gross |choral arranger |Film score |Polydor |CD |731451693724 |Won Oscar |- |1993 |''Seven Deadly Sins'' |Martin Armiger |arranger, keyboardist |TV |ABC Music |CD |EAN = 9399051446327 | |- |1992 |''Frauds'' |Guy Gross, Stephan Elliott |orchestrator, arranger, conductor, composer additional music |Film score |Mushroom |CD |9398601009920 |Victorian Philharmonic Orchestra |- | rowspan="4" |1990 | rowspan="2" |''The Crossing'' | rowspan="2" |Martin Armiger | rowspan="2" |orchestrator, conductor, composer additional music | rowspan="2" |Film score | rowspan="2" |Regular |CD Album | rowspan="2" |EAN = 9399609333628 | |- |CD Single |''Nature Boy''

(Kate Ceberano) |- | rowspan="2" |''Vince and Grace'' (''Come in Spinner'') | rowspan="2" |Martin Armiger | rowspan="2" |arranger, conductor | rowspan="2" |TV |ABC TV |DVD |{{ASIN|B00D09B3FE}} | |- |ABC Music |CD |{{ASIN|B013Q7JS9C}} |Multi Platinum sales |- | rowspan="2" |1989 | rowspan="2" |''Torvill and Dean – Here We Stand'' | rowspan="2" |Kevin Stanton | rowspan="2" |choir arranger, pianist | rowspan="2" |Vocal | Laser Records | rowspan="2" |CD | | rowspan="2" |Recalled by the duo on their website (1989) |- | Hammard |HAM 196 |- |1988 |''Manning Clark's History of Australia – The Musical'' |Martin Armiger |arranger, orchestrator, musician |Musical theatre |Polydor |Vinyl LP |835 591–1 | |- |1981 |''Aloha, A Spectacular New Musical – Original Cast'' |Eaton Magoon Jr, Robert Helpmann |musical director, conductor, arranger, orchestrator |Musical theatre |Hawaiian |Vinyl LP |HOS-101 Shortcode = rl942 |Producer Carl Doy |- |1972 |''New Zealand Composer Edition'' |Auckland University Festival Choir, conductor Peter Godfrey |chorister |Classical

Choral |Kiwi |Vinyl LP |SLD-31 |World Tour 1972 |}

==Education== PhD,<ref name="PhD" /> BMus, DipEd, FTCL, LMusTCL, DipTeach(NSW), DipTchg(NZ)<ref name="Godspell" /><ref name="Williams Qualifications" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.derekwilliams.net}} * {{IMDb name|0930427}} * {{Cite web |title=Derek Williams videography |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/DerekWilliamsMusic |via=YouTube}} * {{discogs artist|1096539-Derek-Williams}} * {{LinkedIn URL | https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekwilliamsmusic/ | Derek Williams }} * {{Cite web |title=Derek Williams profile |url= https://derekwilliams.academia.edu/ |website=Academia.edu}} * {{Cite web |title=Derek Williams profile |url=https://musiciansunion.org.uk/profile/derek-williams-d86f5629 |website=Musicians' Union (United Kingdom)}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Derek}} Category:1952 births Category:20th-century British classical composers Category:21st-century British classical composers Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Category:Australian LGBTQ rights activists Category:Australian music arrangers Category:British film score composers Category:British male film score composers Category:British male opera composers Category:British music arrangers Category:Gay composers Category:LGBTQ conductors (music) Category:Living people Category:Music directors Category:New Zealand classical composers Category:New Zealand conductors (music) Category:New Zealand expatriates in Australia Category:New Zealand expatriates in Scotland Category:New Zealand film score composers Category:New Zealand gay musicians Category:New Zealand LGBTQ composers Category:New Zealand LGBTQ rights activists Category:New Zealand music arrangers Category:New Zealand people of English descent Category:New Zealand people of Scottish descent Category:People associated with the University of Edinburgh Category:People educated at Rosmini College Category:Scottish LGBTQ rights activists Category:University of Auckland alumni Category:Wagner studies