Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2007-10-25
Invested on: 2008-12-12
John Barron has helped to revolutionize music education in elementary schools in his province. He adapted the Kodaly method-which teaches musical literacy through singing, games, movement and folk songs-and featured Canadian material as a key learning tool. He has also brought international acclaim to Canada as a co-founder of one of the world's premier youth choirs, the award-winning Amabile Youth Singers. He serves as a model for other conductors and is known for his generosity in helping to develop and promote Canadian composers.