Ronald Corp OBE was founder and Musical Director of the New London Orchestra (1988), and the New London Children’s Choir (1991-2023). He was also Musical Director of the London Chorus and the Highgate Choral Society. He worked with the BBC Singers, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra amongst others.
Among an extensive discography are his award-winning Hyperion discs of British Light Music Classics. His own compositions include four Symphonies, two Piano Concertos, and concertos for flute, for cello and for recorder. His choral works include large sacred cantatas (including ‘And all the trumpets sounded’) and shorter works for unaccompanied choir (including a setting of verses from the Dhammapada). He has written over one hundred songs and significant cycles include ‘Fields of the Fallen’ and ‘Letters from Lony’ as well as the scena ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’. Operas include ‘The Ice Mountain’ (for children) and ‘The Pelican’. Many of these works are now recorded on CD. His textbook ‘The Choral Singer’s Companion’ is now in its third edition. Ronald Corp was awarded an OBE for services to music in the Queen’s 2012 New Year Honours. He has been made an Honorary Doctor of Music by Anglia Ruskin University and has received an Hon D Mus from University of Hull.
I began writing music even before I was taught to play the piano.
My compositions fall into various categories:
- choir with orchestra
- SATB chorus or upper voices (often childrens’ voices) with or without accompaniment
- large scale works for children
- community projects
- operas
- solo songs and song-cycles
- orchestral works and chamber music
Help Musicians
Ronald Corp
The composer and conductor became a Trustee of the charity in 2000 and was for many years Chairman of the Giving Committee, while serving on several other committees. He also chaired the committee which organises the charity’s annual Festival of St Cecilia.
Ronald regularly chaired audition panels for Postgraduate Awards and was a valued member of the charity’s Creative Advisory Board.
Ronald was appointed as a Trustee Emeritus in 2019 in honour of his long and exceptional service to the charity.
Ronald regularly chaired audition panels for Postgraduate Awards and was a valued member of the charity’s Creative Advisory Board.
Ronald was appointed as a Trustee Emeritus in 2019 in honour of his long and exceptional service to the charity.