Rev Ronald Corp was a unique figure in the world of music, seamlessly blending his passion for conducting with his calling as an Anglican priest. Known for leading choirs and reviving light music in concerts and recordings, he composed numerous beloved pieces, including A Christmas Mass, which skillfully intertwined seasonal melodies with Latin texts.

Originally a BBC music librarian, Corp transitioned to conducting as a result of persistent requests to lead choir rehearsals. In 1988, he established the New London Orchestra (NLO), where he introduced audiences to the rich repertoire of late 19th and early 20th-century music. Following the NLO, in 1991 he founded the New London Children’s Choir, aimed at inspiring young people to engage with music through singing and performance.

Corp’s dedication to adult choirs was also significant. He recently marked his 40th year as musical director of Highgate Choral Society with a performance at Cadogan Hall featuring his new cantata Phoenix from the Ashes. This poignant work included poetry by authors like Rudyard Kipling and Emily Dickinson, written in memory of a choir member affected by the Swiss Verdingkinder system.

On stage, Corp was known for his vibrant conducting style, fostering enthusiasm and energy during rehearsals. He remarked to the Hampstead & Highgate Express, “My approach is to keep everybody on the boil. Some people don’t like my rehearsal style, but I like to get through a lot each week.” Corp also had a passion for reviving lesser-known works, such as Rutland Boughton’s The Queen of Cornwall and various compositions by Arthur Sullivan, whom Corp admired since his school days.

This commitment to neglected music extended beyond British composers. He discovered Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu through Antony Hopkins’s radio series Talking About Music, leading the NLO to feature a Martinu work in its concerts for two consecutive years. Corp also supported Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz by recording her energetic compositions for string orchestra.

In terms of his own creations, Corp’s works include symphonies, piano concertos, and string quartets. His first string quartet, known as The Bustard, premiered by the Maggini Quartet at Wigmore Hall in 2008. Additionally, he created Dhammapada, a piece blending sacred Buddhist texts with recordings from Buddhist temples, showcasing a non-Western philosophical perspective while grounding itself in the Anglican choral tradition.

Though his choral music was well-received, some critics expressed concerns over its accessibility. A Gramophone reviewer noted that his music might be too easy on the ear, offering pleasant yet not significantly innovative compositions for choral societies. Nonetheless, Corp prioritized his legacy as a composer, stating, “On reflection, I think it’s the composing that I would most want to be remembered for.”

Corp’s life was also deeply rooted in his Anglican faith. He resonated with the concept of service, recalling the prophet Isaiah’s words, “Here I am, use me.” Throughout his journey, he grappled with the duality of being both an accomplished musician and a devoted clergyman. He expressed, “Once ordained, one is always a priest. It isn’t a part-time calling,” and shared how he often felt the weight of this duality.

Born on January 4, 1951, in Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset, Corp had an early love for music. His childhood home was modest, situated above a solicitor’s office where his mother worked as a cleaner. He fondly remembered the sounds of the cathedral bells that filled his early years. Despite his parents not being churchgoers, music was a constant presence in their home, especially through the radio.

His interest in music blossomed during his school years, where he often performed solos. Corp learned piano at the age of ten and later joined St Cuthbert’s church choir in Wells, further fueling his passion for music and spirituality.

As a student at Blue School, he began composing, creating unique manuscript paper for his compositions, sometimes writing a piece every day. By the time he attended Christ Church, Oxford, he had accumulated over 1,000 compositions, although he ultimately discarded much of it.

Corp anticipated an academic career focusing on Victorian oratorio. However, after a chance visit to the BBC, he spent 14 years working in music library services, occasionally producing and presenting for Radio 3. His conducting career expanded with roles in various choral groups, ultimately leading him to leave the BBC and focus on his own choral initiatives.

His ministry calling resurfaced throughout his life, initially stirred during youth church holidays. In the mid-1990s, Corp dedicated three years to studying for holy orders, culminating in his ordination and service in several churches known for their musical traditions.

Corp maintained close ties with music festivals, such as the Three Choirs, where he recently presented his composition Hail and Farewell with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. His planned performance of Letters from Lony in Hereford will be held in his honor following his passing. Notably, he also conducted at a birthday party for television personality Sharon Osbourne, highlighting his diverse musical experiences.

The Rev Ronald Corp OBE, a distinguished conductor, composer, and clergyman, passed away on May 7, 2025, at the age of 74 after a prolonged illness.