Peter and Audrey Switzer Trophy Room

Donated By: Johanna Metcalf
First Presented: 2010
Criteria: Deserving Boy Soprano

The late Robert Franklin Reid grew up in Stratford where he attended Avon Public and Stratford Central Secondary schools. He sang in the Alpha Juvenile Choristers (founded in 1931 by Patrick "Paddy" Polley) at St. James Anglican Church.

Robert was a pilot in WWII, a Western University graduate in 1945 and was called to the bar in 1949. For over 50 years, Robert was known as a lawyer of vision and compassion. He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1974 and served on the bench until 1990.

Robert competed in the Stratford Music Festival between 1931 and 1936 where he earned several top placements in solo and duet vocal classes. His partner, Ms. Johanna Metcalf, donated the gold, silver and bronze medals he earned in those early competitions back to the Festival. They were framed in a shadow box (donated by Chris and Jim St. Lawrence) bearing the title "The Honourable Justice Robert F. Reid Award" and is to be presented annually to a deserving boy soprano.