September 26, 1926 – February 16, 2015
After a long, distinguished, and fruitful career in music, Sydney Humphreys has reached his final cadence. Born in Chilliwack, BC, Sydney was gentle, patient, and kind – loved by all who knew him. He maintained complete focus and attention to detail in everything he undertook from photography, to tailoring, to learning the latest electronics. He had a curious mind and a voracious appetite for continuous learning.
Sydney was a prodigious young violinist, winning a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. It was there that he would eventually become a professor and a celebrated performer of chamber music.
He had a profound passion, commitment, and energy for his craft. For example, in 1970, Sydney performed the seemingly insurmountable task of playing all of Beethoven’s quartets and trios multiple times to celebrate the composer’s bicentenary. As an integral member of the Aeolian String Quartet, Bath Festival Orchestra with Yehudi Menuhin, Trio Victoria, Purcell String Quartet and Concert Master of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, he travelled the world to spread joy through music.
Upon the invitation of Robin Wood, Sydney returned to Canada in the 1970s to take a position as the Head of the Strings department at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, which he held for over thirty years. As a teacher, Sydney mentored his students to the full realization of their unique potential. As Jonathan Crow, a former student and now concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony said: “Many teachers can tell you how to play the violin, but few can help you to discover your own voice.” That was Sydney’s genius; that is his legacy.
“If music be the food of love, play on.” Sydney’s music plays on, literally and metaphorically, in his students around the world, in the hearts and minds of his loving family in Victoria; wife, Mary, son, Max/Carolyn, daughter, Atarah/Felipe and granddaughter Siena, and in all his friends who loved him.
Donations and many grateful thanks to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC (www.alzheimer.ca/bc) and to the excellent and caring staff of the Glengarry Hospital, Chandler Unit, of the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation (www.gvef.org). Tribute concert date to be announced.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
40 Responses
I’ve just read Sydney’s obituary and it captures what I knew of him so well. His tenacity, joy, wide interests, passion for music, and even greater passion for family and friends. We are lucky to have known him well enough to understand how remarkable he was. Much love and hugs to you all. Jean and Jim
Dear Mary and family,
We are so very sad to learn of Sydney’s passing although relieved in a sense that he is now free of pain and suffering.
Thankfully, memories are treasures that we can hold onto for a lifetime, and we have decades of memories of Sydney…. his inherent sense of humour, his kindness, his unrelenting thirst for perfection, his abounding musical counsel and steadfast friendship…he was indeed a very special gentleman.
We shall keep you in our hearts and prayers, and send love and sincerest condolences to you and all your family.
Dolores and Michael
Dearest Mary,Max, Carolyn, Atarah, Filipe, Siena,
We are so sad to hear the news about the loss of Mr Humphreys. Nikki , Timmy and both of us often review our memories being with Mr Humphreys. He is the most incredible teacher , friend , and person that we’ve ever known. The most gentle gentleman with full of knowledge. He shared his knowledges of music and his personal life experiences during lessons eventhough the kids were very young and they remember well and start digesting it when their ages are advancing. We can remember almost everything he shared to us. That shows how incredible person he was and will stay in our memories and hearts for the life time.
We are very sad but also relief to hear that he was gone peacefully. We all miss him dearly.
Our thoughts are with you.
Love
The CHOOI
Dear Mary, Max and Atarah,
My heart goes out to you all with the loss of Sydney, my favourite and most inspiring teacher. “Playing the violin is easy!” continues to echo in my mind, even after all of these years. Emlyn and I used to joke in the halls of the Conservatory, saying that Sydney was like “little buddha”. Well, now that I am married to a buddhist myself, it really is no joke ! A buddha is an enlightened being, whose job is to teach those all that he knows with kindness and a keen sense of intellect and fun; this is what Sydney did for all of his students. We all have been blessed with Sydney’s talent as a wonderful violinist and musician, teacher, and all round great human being. He has made the world a better place in his passion for music, and for that I am truly delighted.
For me, Sydney’s passing is the end of an era in the musical life of Victoria. But his legacy lives on with all those he touched. May we try to pass on all of that wisdom that Sydney was so famous for! I will miss him dearly.
much love,
Kirsty Money
Dear Mary, Max, Atarah and families,
My deepest condolences on your loss of Sydney. I will treasure my memory of a supremely talented musician and a wonderful man dedicated to his art, teaching, and family.
Vaughan
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of Sydney’s passing. He sounds like he was an incredible man that everyone would have wanted to know. I am glad to have met you, albeit briefly, at Glengarry. You were a ray of light. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Sydney, Some of my fondest memories of my childhood are of my weekly lesson time with you at Craigdarroch Castle in Victora. You were a true Master, and during my lesson time, you taught so much more than the violin. You enabled the potential for greatness in every student. You helped so many of us realize the gift of music. Many of your lessons were about life. They were about the importance of perseverance and stepping out of our own way so we could let the music flow through. Over the years I have thought of you often if not daily. Thank you so much for your inspiration. Rest in peace Sydney.
Dear Mary, I have such fond memories of you and Sydney as customers in the sheet music department. There was always a great excitement about you both. Sydney will be remembered as such an important part of the music scene in Victoria. Sheila Grigg
Dear Mary and family,
I was so sorry to read of Sydney’s passing. May wonderful memories and the knowledge that the entire musical community of Victoria share in your loss bring some peace.
With my deepest sympathy,
Bonnie Smith
Dear Mary and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Sydney’s passing recently. We do remember enjoying conversations with Sydney, often at Max’s sporting events, or at socials at your home many years ago now. Please accept our sincere condolences at this time.
John and Barbara.