Kenneth Murphy

Murphy, Kenneth

Kenneth (Soutar) Murphy. Administrator, editor, journalist, cellist, b Winnipeg 16 Jun 1930, BA (Manitoba) 1951. He studied cello 1951-4 with Peggie Sampson in Winnipeg and was a reporter 1951-6 and music editor 1955-6 for the Winnipeg Free Press, but took a leave of absence 1954-5 when he won a string scholarship from the WBM to study at the Peabody Cons in Baltimore. He played in various Winnipeg orchestras 1949-60 and was the first teacher of Eric Wilson. He was editor 1956-60 of the CBC Times, Prairie edition, and information officer, and later a producer of transcription records 1960-7 for the CBC IS in Montreal. He edited History of Canada (1967), a compilation of CBC's broadcast scripts by Canadian historians.

Murphy was appointed assistant director of public relations for the NAC in 1967 and served 1969-75 as manager of the NACO and 1975-8 as music administrator of the centre itself. In 1979 he became manager of extension services and placement at the Banff SFA, in 1981 was appointed assistant artistic director of music programs, and in 1989 became assistant artistic director of advanced studies in music. He is also the founder of the Banff International String Quartet Competition, which began in 1983.