Donald Bell

Donald Bell (born 19 June 1934) is a Canadian bass-baritone and vocal pedagogue. For over four decades he actively performed in concerts and operas internationally. He retired from performance in 1994. As a vocal pedagogue he has researched and published studies on vocal acoustics and laryngeal function. He is the founder of the Vocal Arts Acoustical Research Group at the University of Calgary where he currently serves on the voice faculty.

Life and career

Born in South Burnaby, British Columbia, Bell graduated from South Burnaby High School in 1952. He began his voice studies in his youth with conductor and educator Nancy Paisley Benn. While studying with Benn he made his professional debut in 1948 at the age of 14 as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He was then active as a recitalist and singer on CBC Radio while a highschool student. After highschool, he continued to perform and study with Benn while working for a Vancouver plywood mill for one year.

In 1953 Bell entered the Royal College of Music in London on a scholarship. Upon earning his artist dilploma from the RCM in 1955 he was awarded the Harriet Cohen Award and Arnold Bax Memorial Medal. He then continued his studied in Berlin with Hermann Weissenborn from 1955 to 1957. He later studied singing with Judith Boroschek in Düsseldorf from 1967 to 1976, and with Richard Miller at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music from 1985 to 1990.

Donald Simpson Bell

Donald Simpson Bell VC (3 December 1890 – 10 July 1916) was an English school teacher and professional footballer. During the First World War he was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions in the Somme.

Football

Bell was born on 3 December 1890 to Smith and Annie Bell, who resided in Queen's Rd, Harrogate. He attended St Peter's Church of England Primary School and Harrogate Grammar School before going to Westminster College. A noted sportsman at college while studying he played as an amateur with Crystal Palace and later for Newcastle United. He returned to Harrogate and became a schoolteacher at Starbeck Council School (now Starbeck Primary School) and a member of the National Union of Teachers, and to supplement his salary in 1912 he signed professional forms with Bradford (Park Avenue). He was married to Rhoda Bell.

World War I

When World War I broke out, he became the first professional footballer to enlist into the British Army – joining the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1915. He was rapidly promoted to Lance Corporal and then was commissioned into the 9th Battalion, The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own Yorkshire Regiment) in 1915. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 5 July 1916 at Horseshoe Trench, Somme, France. He was killed in action on 10 July 1916.