| Barclay began his career as a teacher in Madawaska ON and Namur PQ. After a stint at university, where he joined the UNTD and served for a time with the regular navy, he returned to teaching in Yellowknife. He then began work with the CBC, first as an announcer in Inuvik, and then with the CBC's Canadian Armed Forces Network in Werl and then Lahr, West Germany. On his return to Canada in 1971, Barclay immersed himself in academic pursuits. After degrees in arts, music, and library science, he worked briefly for the National Library before being recruited as host of the CBC's daily classical music show Mostly Music, where his musical acumen was beamed across the country. Although never a church organist himself, Barclay's keen understanding of the "king of instruments" was widely acknowledged; in fact, he served as president of the Ottawa chapter of the RCCO for a time. In addition, Barclay authored numerous entries in the Canadian Encyclopedia of Music. Barclay's major contribution came through his work as founder and principal of Voice Emergent, helping people come more fully alive through their voices. He was highly esteemed for his creation of such programs as Life Song, Come Sing, and the Festival of Light, and he continued in these endeavours until well into the last year of his life. |
