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A life full of music
A MAN who grew up in Alnwick and had numerous musical achievements in Australasia died this summer.
John Wesley Barker, who died suddenly in July, was brought up in a Methodist family in Alnwick, his first experience as an organist was in his father's church at the age of 14.
By the age of 21, he had been appointed organist and choir master at nearby Alnmouth Parish Church; had attended a Royal School of Church Music course in choir training, liturgiology and organ playing at Canterbury Cathedral; and had gained his Associate of the Royal College of Music in organ playing. In 1949, he won a scholarship to Hatfield College, University of Durham, and embarked upon a BA Honours degree course in music. It was during his time at Durham University that John became a devoted confirmed Anglican.
Following a move to Surrey, in 1961, he emigrated with his first wife and young son to Australia to become organist and choir master at St John's Church, Tamworth.
In 1965, he moved to Adelaide to do a BMus research degree in Musicology at the University of Adelaide.
He left Australia for New Zealand following his appointment as lecturer in musicology at the University of Otago in 1970.
After retiring in 1993, he completed supervision of his Masters and PhD students, and continued with research, publishing international papers until 2005. He was also appointed organist at St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral in Dunedin. However, it was not until 2002 when he moved to Nelson that his life-long ambition was fulfilled, becoming Director of Music at Christchurch Cathedral, Nelson.
His second wife Angela Pack said: "John Wesley Barker was a gentle, thoughtful, kind-hearted, generous, compassionate and modest man with much humility. He had strong integrity, was not afraid to uphold courageous principles and throughout his life was an ardent pacifist. He exhibited a quiet wit, and high intelligence. Throughout his 80 years he was a good and faithful servant of our Lord, who used his wonderful talent as a musician in his service to the very end."
He is survived by his wife, his son John C Wesley-Barker and his daughter Helen English.
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Weather for Northumberland
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
