Vernon Barford

Vernon West Barford (September 10, 1876 – April 22, 1963) was an English photographer, musician, organist, choirmaster and teacher. Barford, nicknamed "Man of Many Talents," was born in Crowthorne in Berkshire, England. He began piano lessons at four and attended the choir school of Worcester Cathedral from 1887-92. Having failed entrance exams to Oxford University, he moved to Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada and began to farm. After a year, he began to teach piano. Later in 1900, Barford became the organist/choirmaster for All Saints Church (now Edmonton Cathedral) when he moved to Edmonton, Alberta. In the 1924-1925 season, Barford was the conductor of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and many other orchestras, concert bands and concerts. Examples include the Edmonton Amateur Operatic Society, Robert Planquette's The Chimes of Normandy, Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury, The Pirates of Penzance, University of Alberta Glee Club, and the Mendelssohn Chorus of Edmonton. Barford served 1907-14 as the first president of the Edmonton Musicians' Union. He was made an Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, Winnipeg, in 1950. In 1967, Vernon Barford Junior High School, Edmonton, was named posthumously in his memory.

References

• Canadian Encyclopedia