Thomas Vernon Griffiths

Thomas Vernon Griffiths (22 June 1894–23 November 1985) was an English-born New Zealand conductor, composer, lecturer and music teacher. Known for his dedication to music in schools and the community, Griffiths promoted music education, school music and was active in community music. He composed pieces for schools, churches and amateur musicians. His father was an Anglican minister who served in poor and deprived areas. He began his working life as a bank clerk before serving as an officer during World War I. Post-war, he won an organ scholarship to the University of Cambridge, graduating with a MusB in 1922.

Griffiths graduated with DMus in 1937 and became a professor of music at Canterbury University College in 1942.

He became professor emeritus in 1961 and received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Canterbury in 1975. The Composers Association of New Zealand awarded him a Citation for Services to Music in 1980. An experiment in school music making (1942)