James Gayfer

Biography

James McDonald Gayfer (March 26, 1916 – April 7, 1997) was a Canadian bandmaster, clarinetist, composer, conductor, organist, military officer, and music educator. Born in Toronto, his compositional output includes several orchestral works, two symphonies, numerous pieces for band and solo piano, a modest amount of chamber music, and several songs, hymns, and choral works. In 1944, his string quartet won the CPRS award, and in 1947, his Six Translations from the Chinese for tenor and small orchestra won the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada competition. In 1953, he was appointed Director of Music of the Band of the Canadian Guards, serving until 1961. He then served as a musical training officer at the Canadian Forces School of Music. In 1960, he wrote The Canadian Infantryman, the official march past of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. Although Gayfer's works remain unpublished, some have been recorded by various artists, including Howard Cable and David Mills. In 1983, he was awarded the Service Medal of the Order of St John.

Highlights

• Born in Toronto in 1916.
• Composer of two symphonies and numerous orchestral works.
• Director of Music of the Band of the Canadian Guards from 1953 to 1961.
• Won the CPRS award in 1944.
• Wrote the official march of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps in 1960.
• Awarded the Service Medal of the Order of St John in 1983.

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