Neill Pickard

Writer and Composer of Sweet William

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Neill Pickard QSM

BA Hons (French) (Canterbury)

BA (Education) (Canterbury) 

Dip. Ed. (Massey & Canterbury)

Dip. Tchg (Christchurch Teachers’ College)

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During his successful career, Neill was a Language and English teacher (plus Head of Drama) at Christchurch Boys’ High School, and latterly, taught French, E.S.O.L. and Music at Burnside High School. 

 

Neill founded the Christchurch Jazz School and was instrumental in setting up the pre-cursors to the Bachelor of Music Arts degree at ARA - Te Pukenga (formerly CPIT). He pursued a tertiary career as a French and English teacher and Jazz History lecturer at Christchurch Polytechnic and University of Canterbury, and continued with amateur work as a guitarist/vocalist with a variety of dance bands as well as an acoustic bassist/vocalist with a variety of folk groups, having been a founder member of the University of Canterbury Folk Club.

 

In 2008, Neill was awarded a Civic Award medal and certificate for service to Education and Jazz in Christchurch, as well the Queen's Service Medal for service to Education and the Jazz community.

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Neill currently plays a 5-string banjo, guitar and bass and is a member of a Dixie Land group called ‘The River City Jazzmen’ as vocalist, playing plectrum banjo and jazz guitar.