2002 Inductees: Kevin Osmond
Category: Founder

While searching for information in order to prepare a small tribute to Mr. Kevin Osmond on this occasion, the comment that was elicited most often was that "he was always musical." Perhaps, given the organization honouring him tonight, that is enough. But to leave it simply at that would be to do his memory a severe injustice.

Kevin Osmond, like many young outport boys of his generation, came to be on his own in the city of St. John's at a very early age. He was just fifteen when he enrolled as a student at what was then known as Prince of Wales College on LeMarchant Road. It wasn't long before he came to the attention of a very well-known voice instructor in the city at the time - Eleanor Mews Jerrett - who took him under her wing and fine-tuned the natural singing talents that he possessed. At about the same time, he began piano lessons under the tutelage of Mr. Gordon Christian. Unlike his brother, Douglas Osmond, another well-known and respected musician in St. John's, this local musical instruction formed the extent of Kevin's formal musical education.

He joined the Choir of Gower Street United Church, and very quickly became one of this fine church choir's renowned soloists. He also became a member of the Eleanor Mews Glee Club - a highly respected choral group performing in St. John's at that time. With this Glee Club, and as a soloist in his own right, Mr. Osmond performed in many public musical concerts which were held regularly in St. John's during the years of World War II.

During the very beginnings of the Kiwanis Music Festival, it suffered some credibility problems. I understand that these problems existed even among some members of the Kiwanis Club of St. John's, who, perhaps, either were not completely sold on, or didn't fully grasp the concept of music festival. Some, it seemed, were expecting a kind of gala musical concert, and did not quite understand the educational component which forms the backbone of a competitive music festival.

Mr. Osmond was a Charter member of the Kiwanis Club of St. John's. His expertise and reputation as a fine amateur musician gave him great credibility within the tightly-knit musical community. This was a major asset for the newly formed Music Festival Committee of the Kiwanis Club, for it was Mr. Osmond who, along with William Chafe, was able to sell the idea of an educational music festival to the music community, as well as to members of his Kiwanis Club.

He was actively involved with the compilation of early Festival Syllabus's, and worked closely with other local musicians in choosing appropriate music in areas where he had specific knowledge. He was also involved in the formation of Festival Rules and Regulations; checking on their fairness and applicability to the local situation.

It is to Kiwanians such as the late Kevin Osmond that Kiwanians today and the general public owe the success and growth of the present-day Kiwanis Music Festival. Because of his early drive, dedication, expertise, and devotion, we now induct him into the Kiwanis Music Festival Association of St. John's HALL OF HONOUR in the FOUNDER CATEGORY.