Bernarr Rainbow
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DLitt, PhD, MEd, ARCM, LGSM, LRAM, FTCL, HonFTCL, FRSA
Bernarr Rainbow was the son of a cabinet-maker at Buckingham Palace, later Curator at Hampton Court, so Bemarr grew up with an awareness of historic places - and people. He went to Rutlish School, Merton, and whilst still there became organist and choirmaster at St. James, Merton, later holding similar posts at St. Mary's, East Molesey and St. Andrew's, Wimbledon.
His 21st birthday was marked by a reception and dance at Hampton Court for some 80 guests. In these years he attended Trinity College of Music part-time whilst earning a living in the Map Branch of the Land Registry near Lincoln's Inn. In September 1944 he became Organist of the Parish Church of All Saints, High Wycombe and, a few months later. Senior Music Master at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
He made a considerable public impact at High Wycombe. He produced Gilbert and Sullivan operettas at the Royal Grammar School, put on concerts at the Parish Church, and started a week-long annual Festival there in 1946.
Bemarr's pupils won awards and scholarships and in 1947 representatives from 30 local choirs joined in Handel's Messiah. Bemarr conducted the High Wycombe String Orchestra and was the soloist in his own Piano Concerto. In 1951 the High Wycombe Parish Church Choir was chosen to sing Evensong in the Festival Church on the new South Bank site.
He turned the Royal Grammar School at High Wycombe into a singing school. Bemarr realised that the quality of music teaching in schools was paramount. This meant focussing on the teachers themselves. So in 1952 he became Director of Music at The College of S. Mark and S. John, Chelsea, the Church of England College for teachers, a remarkable community whose members have stayed friends. Later he became Head of Music at Gypsy Hill College, now Kingston University, and retired in 1978.
His distinguished record was acknowledged when he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1994 and an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College in the following year.
