A highly regarded teacher and mentor to many prominent Australian musicians,[1] such as Don Burrows, Larry Sitsky and Roger Woodward, Hanson himself was largely self-taught.
Late in life however, his distinctive personal style began to receive greater recognition, and since his death his work has been held in high esteem by some critics.
From 1930 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, he made a living by teaching piano and by working in a variety of menial jobs.
Following a year of study which he undertook with Alex Burnard, the Conservatorium offered Hanson a place on the staff, and this he accepted.
As a teacher, Hanson was noted for a kind, thoughtful and unpretentious manner, which was appreciated by students, while his abilities and dedication were greatly respected.
He became a teacher and mentor to many future Australian composers and musicians, such as Nigel Butterley, Richard Meale and Barry Conyngham, as well as to noted performers such as jazz clarinettist Don Burrows and piano virtuoso Roger Woodward.
In addition to his work at the Conservatorium, he also gave private lessons, which not infrequently ended in long discussions about philosophy or politics.
Hanson believed that his association with this movement, along with his membership in the Australian-Soviet Friendship Society, was one of the factors that held back his professional career.
[1] While his teaching abilities were widely acknowledged, Hanson struggled to gain recognition for his talents as a composer for much of his career, as his music was often unpopular with the audience at that time and also unfashionable.
Technically speaking, Hanson rejected serialism with its rigid rules of development, but retained a fascination with the twelve-note scale and its full potentialities.
[8] On 15 September 1956, Hanson at the age of 43 married a 23-year-old Conservatorium student, Moira Winifred Young, at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Manly.
The couple moved house several times over the next few years as prior to Hanson being placed on salary all teaching staff at the Con were contract players.