Ronald Corp, the talented composer, conductor, and long-serving director of the Highgate Choral Society, sadly passed away at the age of 74. He was not only known for his work with the Highgate Choral Society but also for founding the New London Orchestra and New London Children’s Choir. In addition to his musical endeavors, Corp was an ordained Anglican priest who served as a non-stipendiary minister at churches in Kilburn, Hendon, and Holborn.
Highgate Choral Society took to Facebook to announce the heartbreaking news of Corp’s passing, expressing their deep sadness at the loss of their beloved Musical Director. Just last autumn, the choir celebrated Corp’s 40th anniversary with a special concert at Cadogan Hall, featuring the premiere of his composition Phoenix from the Ashes and the Fauré Requiem. The society praised Corp for his musical talents and his unwavering dedication to the choir, highlighting his role as a conductor, composer, and chorus master. They fondly remembered him as not just a colleague but a great friend who was driven by his passion for music.
Born in 1951 in Wells, Somerset, Corp went on to study music at Oxford University before embarking on a successful career that included recording and conducting with renowned orchestras such as the Liverpool Philharmonic and the BBC Concert Orchestra. In 2012, he was honored with an OBE for his contributions to music, particularly his advocacy for English choral music. Corp’s impact on the music world extended beyond his work with choirs and orchestras; he composed a variety of pieces, including a Christmas opera titled Wenceslas and musical settings for texts by Shakespeare, Larkin, and Browning.
One of Corp’s notable achievements was the establishment of the New London Children’s Choir in 1991, aimed at introducing young performers to a diverse range of music. The choir premiered works by composers like Michael Nyman, recorded film soundtracks, and collaborated with artists such as Lou Reed and Nick Cave. Corp’s musical legacy also reached audiences in North London, where his compositions were featured at the Proms at St Jude’s in Hampstead Garden Suburb. His piece Letters from Lony, based on letters from a Jewish grandmother in Auschwitz, left a lasting impact on listeners and showcased his ability to evoke powerful emotions through music.
In the wake of Corp’s passing, tributes poured in from various organizations and individuals in the music community, highlighting his talent, warmth, and dedication to his craft. The Proms at St Jude’s remembered him as a significant figure in North West London’s music scene, praising his contributions to the choir and orchestra. The Revd Christopher Smith, Vicar of St Alban’s Holborn, fondly recalled Corp as a multifaceted individual who touched the lives of many through his music, ministry, and genuine personality.
As friends, colleagues, and admirers mourn the loss of Ronald Corp, his legacy lives on through the music he created and the lives he touched. A Requiem Mass in his honor will be held at St Alban’s Holborn, offering a chance for those who knew and loved him to come together and celebrate his remarkable life and contributions to the world of music.
