Bernarr Rainbow

Bernarr Joseph George Rainbow (2 October 1914 – 17 March 1998) was a historian of music education, organist, and choir master from the United Kingdom.

Life and career

Born on 2 October 1914 in Battersea, London, United Kingdom, Bernarr Rainbow was the son of Ephraim James Rainbow (1888–1983), a cabinet-maker at Buckingham Palace, who later became the Curator of Pictures at Hampton Court. Rainbow first became a church chorister when his family moved to Clapham, and he was intrigued by watching the organist play.

After another move he attended Rutlish School in Merton. Whilst still at school, Bernarr was appointed the organist and choirmaster at St James's, 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 attended by 80 guests. While studying at Trinity he earned a living in the Map Branch of the Land Registry near Lincoln's Inn. The Trust now runs an annual award for school music teachers in conjunction with the Institute of Education, University of London; has presented five Bernarr Rainbow Lectures in London [published as "Music Education in Crisis - the Bernarr Rainbow Lectures and Other Assessments", Boydell, 2013]; and supports the publication of Rainbow's books and his series of Classic Texts in Music Education.

Writings Music in the classroom, Heinemann (London, 1956). Handbook for music teachers, Novello (London, 1964). The land without music: musical education in England 1800-1860 and its continental antecedents, Novello (London, 1967) repr. Boydell. The choral revival in the Anglican church, 1839-1872, Barrie & Jenkins (London, 1970). repr. Boydell. John Curwen: a short critical biography, Novello (London, 1980). [In Bernarr Rainbow on Music - see below] English psalmody prefaces: popular methods of teaching, 1562-1835, Boethius Press (London, 1982) repr. Boydell. Onward from Butler: school music 1945-1985, Curwen Institute (London, 1985). [In Bernarr Rainbow on Music - see below] Music and the English public school, Boethius Press (London, 1990). [New, enlarged edition as Music in the Independent School, edited by Andrew Morris] Music in Educational Thought and Practice: a Survey from 800 BC, 2nd enlarged edition with Gordon Cox; foreword by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Boydell (Woodbridge, 2006). Four Centuries of Music Teaching Manuals 1518-1932, with an introduction by Gordon Cox. Boydell (Woodbridge, 2009). Bernarr Rainbow on Music: Selected Writings and a Memoir, edited by Gordon Cox, introduced by Charles Plummeridge. Boydell (Woodbridge, 2011) Music in Independent Schools, edited by Andrew Morris; introduced by Peter Dickinson. Boydell (Woodbridge, 2014).