Lindsay Lafford:
The Music Man of Friendship Village

Pictured with his synthesizer, Lindsay Lafford demonstrates his undeniable talent.

When asked about some of the interesting and talented people who make up the Friendship Village community, people often mention resident Lindsay Lafford, who plays the organ.

But saying Lindsay Lafford plays the organ is quite an understatement. Dr. Lafford's résumé reads like a "Who's Who" of musicians: Organ Scholar and Assistant Organ, Hereford Cathedral, England; post-graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester and at the University of Geneva, Switzerland; Organist and Master of Choristers, St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong; University Organist, Princeton; Chairman of the Music Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York. And that just takes you through the 1970s!

Lindsay will tell you, "I also write music," another understatement. Of his compositions, three have won first prize in international competitions. And recently, he traveled to Hong Kong and England to either conduct, play or attend performances of his personal works.

He moved to Friendship Village in June 1994. Because his son and daughter-in-law live and work in the area (both are on the staff at Arizona State University), he was able to get to know life in the Valley during his many visits. So, the decision to move to Arizona was an easy one. And, the decision to move to Friendship Village, a top retirement choice in the Valley, was even easier.

He chose an alcove apartment for the great value. It not only provides just the right amount of room for him and his music composing, it allows him easy access to the many services and amenities Friendship Village offers.

"I'm close to my family, I'm comfortable, I've made good friends and I'm able to enjoy my labor of love," he says about life at Friendship Village.

Reprinted from The Village News, Friendship Village of Tempe, Tempe, Arizona, Spring 1995

Permission to republish this article was granted from
Friendship Village of Tempe (http://www.friendshipvillageaz.com).