Mr. N. J. Barnes

The Norman J Barnes Memorial Trust was set up in 2000 to commemorate the life of NJB.

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27 to 35 Barnes MBE, N J

Norman Barnes died in Sheffield on 2nd April 2000. Mr Barnes sang as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral with his two older brothers, beginning a life-long association with music. At MCS, Norman Barnes sang in the choir before going on to St Peter's, Oxford, as organ scholar, from 1935-9.

During the war he served with the Royal Signals in Egypt, Ceylon and in India, where he met up with fellow OW John Austin (32 to 36) for an impromptu performance of Handel: 'We went into the town of Ranchi, found the English church, and in it a termite infested organ and two vocal scores of Messiah! From the street we plucked a native to blow the organ and spent the morning singing and playing!'

Norman Barnes was a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, winning the Limpus Prize in 1947, and was Director of Music at King Edward VII School in Sheffield until 1976. Between 1949 and 1983 he was organist of St John's, Ranmoor, and conducted the Sheffield Bach Choir from 1950 to 1961.

In retirement Mr Barnes continued his involvement with music, archiving the musical heritage of his various appointments.

(Magdalen College School, Oxford; Old Waynfletes; see http://www.magdalen.oxon.sch.uk/ow/obituaries.html)

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NJB in the Hall at KES

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School Song - Tempus Est

• The words and some recordings featuring the voice of NJB
• Brief Christmas message recorded in 1962 from Philip Baylis (KES music master before NJB), which includes a few notes of 'Tempus Est', sent by Hugh (aka Humphrey) Smailes (KES 39-46)
• Other recordings from late 1948 (all of which were performed in the concert on December 4th, 1948): Ding Dong Merrily on High; Lullay My Liking (Holst), soloist G Nutter; Fanfare for Christmas Day (Shaw) [these mp3 files are all courtesy of John Hill, the proud owner of an original 78-rpm record, as mentioned in the KES magazine of March, 1949]

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Norman J Barnes Memorial Trust

This trust was set up in 2000 following the death of NJB.

Carols at The Cathedral; NJB + clarinettist Tony Heathcote