Ainsworth Carter Scholarship
Frank G. Ainsworth and A. Robert Carter were each introduced to the study of a musical instrument at an early age. This has translated into a life-long appreciation of music. Through their wills, they have made a commitment to the University of Victoria School of Music via the Ainsworth-Carter Scholarship Fund to provide meaningful support to young people wishing to be full time students of the piano or the violin.
Both Frank and Bob started their lives in Ontario. Frank was born in Toronto in 1933 and was one of six children, five boys and a girl. He has two daughters and three grandsons. As a young boy he took piano lessons for several years and this created a lifetime love of music. Bob was born in Guelph in 1928 and although he had a large extended family (his father could count ninety-two first-cousins), he was an only child and never married. He took violin lessons for six years and played in his high school orchestra. Here too a love of music was planted.
Frank's career included many years in the buying, selling, merchandising and promotion of men's fashions, with connections to various retail outlets. He was for some years involved in the design and production of costuming for amateur theatrical groups and had private clients to whom he provided advice on clothing styles and choices and coordinated their creation. He eventually left the artistic world and its economic instability to join the Ontario Government. He retired from the Ministry of Transportation and Communication as Supervisor of the Motor Vehicle Licensing, Main Issuing Office.
Bob had a career start with Zellers stores and later became involved in work simplification and office methods with Lever Brothers. Over the years he did some chorus singing and even tried his hand at stage set design. His quiet talent for designing business forms led him to the Ontario Government and the Election Office. While there in the ’70s, he also made a successful review of paperwork for Elections Canada. He retired as Director of Election Operations and Communications for Elections Ontario.
For more than thirty-two years Frank and Bob have shared and enjoyed a variety of interests. Music has always been included in their lives, from a named seat in the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, to Pacific Opera support and Symphony attendance in Victoria as well as CBC daily background music. Their common interest in art (Toller Cranston in particular) is evidenced in the decor of their Victoria home, which they share with a tabby named Mozart.