Vernon Barford

On 15 January 1900 he moved to Edmonton, Alberta and became choirmaster for All Saints parish church, which became pro-cathedral of the Church of England in Canada in 1914, and stayed in that post for fifty-six years. In 1903 Barford organized the Edmonton Amateur Operatic Society, and was musical director for seven years. In 1904 he created Edmonton's first opera, The Chimes of Normandy. On 1 September 1905, when Alberta had joined the Dominion of Canada, Barford conducted the first official concert at Thistle Rink. in 1908 Barford worked with three others to create the Alberta Provincial Festival (now known as the Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival) and was president of it for seven years. In 1912, Barford began the University of Alberta Glee Club. Then in 1924 he was awarded with the honorary degree by the U of A. In the 1927–1929 season, Barford was the first conductor of the

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