Terence (Terry) Ford was born in Panama in 1933 of a British father and a USA mother. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut and a Master of Divinity at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. As an ordained priest of the Episcopal Church he was founding rector of the Church of San Marcos, and a founder and principal of the Episcopal School of Panama.
He considers the liturgical music in the Episcopal Church to have played a major role in developing his love of music. He does not read music nor does he play any musical instrument but when asked how he has managed to know so much music he is quick to respond: “Listen, listen, listen and identify what you’re hearing”.
In 1963 he obtained a grant from the private, not for profit National Concert Association to organize the first Panamanian youth music camp. The 25th camp took place in January 2010. Since 1991 the camps have profited from the attendance of undergraduates from Oberlin College Conservatory and a member of the Costa Rica National Symphony. He has been president of the Concert Association since 1991.
From 1978 til 2007 he was Honorary Norwegian Consul in Panama City, and since 1994 he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Planned Parent-hood Association of Panama.