Farmer, Henry George, 1882-1965

Henry George Farmer was born in 1882 in Birr Barracks, Crinkle, Ireland, when his father was serving with the Leinster regiment. His musical abilities showed early in his life when lessons on the piano, violin and clarinet lead to performances in local concerts with his sister. In 1895 he visited London with his father, attending a concert by the Royal Artillery Band at the Royal Albert Hall. The band boasted a full symphony orchestra and, fired with enthusiasm, the following year Farmer became 'Boy Farmer' as a clarinettist and violinist.

His formal education ended at the turn of the century with the death of his tutor and his father but he was destined for a lifetime of study. He had published his first monograph based on the Royal Artillery Band by 1904 . He was soon regarded as an authority on military music and bands. Frustrated with playing second violin in the Artillery orchestra, he took horn lessons privately and by 1902 was principal horn. He played with other local orchestras and began his career as a conductor.

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