Joseph Richards, former teacher at the Berkeley Institute and music teacher at his own Richards Music Studio for 35 years, is truly deserving of the title, “Bermuda’s Music Man.”For nearly 40 years this quiet, gentle, extremely gifted musician brought the beauty and benefits of music to hundreds of individuals both local and foreign.So wrote columnist Edwin Wilson in the August 22, 1970, issue of The Bermuda Recorder from which the following excerpts are culled:Mr Richards started school with a very fine English lady (married to a Bermudian) whom he credited with having had a tremendous influence on her students in their tender years.From there he attended the Sandys Grammar School in Somerset, which was later to be used for white students while the coloured pupils went to the old school which became West End School. He then attended Berkeley Institute, graduating four years later. He studied mathematics under Mrs. Millie Neverson, and when she took charge of Sandys Secondary School he moved there with her, teaching the subject.A thoroughly trained music teacher, his greatest was his love of music and his contagious personality. He studied for five year at the New England Conservatory of Music, the oldest music school in the Western Hemisphere. At that time there were no degrees issued, except for research music. Later he attended a summer school under direction of Dr. Thomas Whitney Surrette, being the only coloured student there.Mr Richards was involved in many ‘firsts’ during his early exposure to music. He especially remembered Mr Gilbert Thorpe, whom he described as a very fine gentleman, who was a teacher at the Anglican Cathedral. He was so impressed with his student’s obvious love of music and natural gift he encouraged Joseph to write the intermediate examination. In order to do this, he first had to pass the theory.That had to be done in five weeks. He explained that at that time it was generally accepted by the white community of Bermuda that coloured people were not to touch the fine arts. Mr Thorpe was told by members of the white community that unless he ceased teaching coloured students he would not be allowed to teach in Bermuda.“Sometimes the behaviour of such people almost makes you turn against religion,” which the writer considered a strong statement coming from a gentleman as deeply religious as Mr. Richards, who added: “I cannot understand people who have such hatred in their hearts.”Mr Richards revealed he did indeed take the examination, together with six white students. When the results were posted it was found he was the only one who has passed. He also remembered that Nuns from the Convent School were engaged in teaching coloured students, but pressure was brought to bear there as well. Mr Thorpe showed him a letter forbidding him to teach. But he told me that as long as the pupil was respectable he would teach him regardless.Mr. Richards stated that all of that adversity made him more determined than ever to go abroad and come back armed and trained. He dedicated himself to that mission; his goal being to return in order that the Negroes in Bermuda would have one music teacher as good as could be found anywhere.“When I opened my studio I felt I could do anything. The ironic thing was that many of my first students were white. It makes no difference what some people do. I had taught people from all strata of society. I harbour no bitterness or prejudice against anyone.”Mr Richards had many trials and tribulations during his attempt to bring music to the masses and obtain a place in the teaching world. Upon his return from five years at the Conservatory, he was told many times there was nothing available for music teachers here. He was offered a mere pittance to teach at the Berkeley, serving under Mr. Innis, the Principal for six months. He described them as the most enjoyable months of his teaching career, giving the Berkeley its first choir.When the school was not prepared to hire him on a permanent basis, this dedicated music lover, determined not to have his profession and training belittled and disrespected any longer, opened his own studio in Hamilton on August 8, 1935, teaching privately for 12 years. However FS Furbert, the first Bermudian appointed headmaster of the Berkeley Institute invited him to return and assist with the choir.He agreed to do it free of charge, for three years, while continuing to operate his studio. “Frankly, musicians were never really appreciated in Bermuda. I was school pianist at the Berkeley as a student; however when the time came to issue scholarships none were given to musicians.“We were only to be used. To play at concerts, weddings, funerals and parties. No one considered the years of training, the hours of rehearsals. I had my professional degree when others were still untrained and unqualified,” declared Mr. Richards. Mr. Furbert, considering it was unfair for him to continue offering his professional services free of charge, in 1946 approached the Board of Governors and was able to pay him a small sum. The next year he was taken on permanently, serving there for 23 uninterrupted years.Thus he became the first person hired to teach music on a full time basis in a Bermuda school. During his tenure he was instrumental in influencing many future Bermudian musicians. He was pleased to note that one of his former students, Cecil Smith was the second full time teacher on a permanent basis in a local school. Five of his Berkeley students became professional musicians in the USA. He described his years at Berkeley as most rewarding. The students were most responsive. They loved music, all kinds of music, although no one in authority fully appreciated what was needed. Musicians have had a hard time.Mr Richards had no hesitation in revealing his undying love for music came by naturally. His father was director of his Allen Temple AME Church choir. One of his brothers was director of St. Luke’s AME Church Male Voice Choir; and another brother was a jazz drummer.“I have had many opportunities to leave Bermuda and make money. I could have stayed in America. But money was not my main objective. In 1938, Roland Hayes (the world famous singer) wanted me to be his accompanist. This was the hardest decision I ever had to make. Accompanying artists was something I dearly loved to do. But I had to come home to fulfill a need. The people needed me. Mr. Hayes could have called on many pianists in the States. I felt it would be selfish of me to leave. I have been called here many times from my school times in America asking me to come and teach.”Fortunately for many Bermudians this gifted musician was true to his original aim, which was to end the bias and bigotry against bringing music to the masses, wrote Edwin Wilson, in the August 22, 1970 issue of the Bermuda Recorder, he added: “Despite the many obstacles, Mr. Richards secured for himself a firm place among the country’s pioneers and earned the right to the title ‘Bermuda’s Mr. Music Man’.’’