Ian McKinley was a music lecturer at Mt Gravatt College of Advanced Education (which became part of Griffith University), until his retirement in 1987. He acquired degrees in Arts and Science from the University of Queensland, and took further music studies in England and the United States of America. He was a foundation member of the Australian Society for Music Education (holding the positions of National Secretary and Treasurer at different times). He was a long-standing examiner for the Australian Music Examiners' Board, a member of the Queensland Primary Music Curriculum Committee, and President of the Queensland Music Teachers' Association. He conducted a number of choral groups, as well as a television vocal group for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He became a Life Member of the Queensland Bach Choir after directing them for many years, and was made an Honorary Life Member of Canticum Chamber Choir. He was also Director of Music at Christ Church, St Lucia until 1993. His composition work has been largely in the choral/vocal field, though he has also written for strings and wind instruments. Along with numerous music education instructional papers and articles, he wrote An Organ Transplant : The Story of the Organ at Christ Church, St. Lucia (1994), a commemorative booklet.
