By Jorian Gardner

WELL-known and much-loved Canberra musical director Ian McLean, who last year retired as the head of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, has returned to the Army as director of music – with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
McLean retired from the army after 34 years only four years ago with the rank of major. He then went on to head the CSO, start the Canberra Pops Orchestra as well as teaching and acting as musical director for a plethora of organisations and major productions for Canberra Philharmonic and other companies.
“I am very excited about the prospect of being able to take up the position and I am very flattered to be asked,” said Mr McLean who will start his Canberra-based, three-year contract in mid January.
“It is a bit unusual for a retired officer to come back to be the director of music, certainly that has never happened before.
“There is a whole mixture of Australian Army bands that I will be responsible for the – their overall technical standards, training, as well as the manning and recruitment, uniforms and so on. There are the Army bands that most people will know about, but there are also Army reserve bands, pipes and drums and touring.
“At its core, the job is as the adviser to the chief of Army on all things musical.”
While he will be able to do some freelance work outside the Army, such as the Canberra Pops, which he will need to take leave for to conduct, most of his highly regarded teaching, board and theatrical commitments may have to go on hold for a few years.
“A lot of the background stuff that I have been able to do after becoming semi-retired from the CSO will have to go, unfortunately, but I will certainly be keeping my association with the Canberra Pops Orchestra, which was part of my agreement to come back.”
Will the veteran musician have to go back to basic training or have a refresher combat course?
“No,” he laughs. “I did that already! The Army is very specialised now, so cooks are employed to cook, drivers are employed to drive, and musicians are employed to play music!”