MacLachlan, James
Born on the 17th December 1901 in Claremont, Cape Town; died 29th April 1975 in Wellington. Inspector of Music to the Cape Education Department, lecturer.In his youth James MacLachlan lived in Malmesbury where he had his first instruction in music. During the twenties he became a student at the South African College of Music and applied himself to pianoforte, violin, cello, singing, elocution, harmony and counterpoint, obtaining the diplomas UTLM, UPLM and LTCL; at the Cape Eisteddfod, he was awarded a gold medal for singing. In 1929 he continued his studies for three years at the RAM and was awarded the LRAM. He also visited Italy.
On his return from Europe he taught privately until 1934 when he was appointed lecturer in Music at the Grahamstown Training College. After seven years he returned to the Western Province after being offered a similar position at the Wellington Training College. In 1945 the Cape Education Department appointed him Inspector of Music, work which occupied him for 21 years until his retirement in 1966. After living in Franschhoek for a few years he was requested by the Wellington Training College to assist in the musical training of school teachers in a part-time capacity. He acted as President of the SASMT in 1951.