Chapter Eight - Great Expectations, 1943–47

Summary

Mr Frost … has found a field for his undoubted talent as a conductor in the town and he has made a name for himself … he is a competent musician and very enthusiastic … He is, like most music masters I have known, somewhat temperamental but not unduly difficult.

About five hundred members of the B.B.C. Staff came to Bedford … The movement back to London begins on 18th July 1945, when the Symphony Orchestra returns. In the past four years about 8,000 broadcasts have been made from Bedford. The Theatre Orchestra and the Singers are to remain here a little longer.

Norman Frost (1903–90)

Norman Frost was appointed honorary conductor at the special general meeting on 19 April 1943, the same meeting at which a presentation was made to Marshall Palmer. The appointment was initially for the remainder of the season only, but he was re-elected at the annual general meeting held at the end of July 1943. At that meeting, another profoundly significant appointment was made, that of Margaret Robertson, who was elected as secretary.

Norman Frost's main academic qualification was in music. However, he had been appointed at Bedford Modern School in 1941 as a teacher of English. Norman Frost was born and grew up in Hampshire, and was articled as a pupil to the organist of Winchester Cathedral, Dr William Prendergast, 1920–23. He then studied organ and piano under Arnold Goldsborough at the Royal College of Music 1924–25. In 1926 he was appointed senior music master at Barnard Castle School, an appointment that he held for nine years. In 1935 he was appointed, again as music master, at Firth Park School, Sheffield. This school's choir was broadcast by the BBC on the eve of the coronation of George VI in May 1937, as a tribute from the schools of England. During Norman Frost's time at Firth Park School he conducted a variety of well-known choral works.

Norman Frost was then appointed as an inspector for the Board of Education, and although his appointment was as a music specialist, his duties were in the main for general work, for which it was eventually decided he was not suitable.