John Ritchie | |
---|---|
Born | John Anthony Ritchie 29 September 1921
Wellington, New Zealand |
Died | 29 September 2014
Christchurch, New Zealand | (aged 93)
Alma mater | University of Otago |
Employer | University of Canterbury |
Known for | Composer, conductor, music educator |
Notable work |
Concertino for Clarinet and String Orchestra (1957) Ergo Tua Rura Manebunt (1973) Aquarius: Suite No. 2 for String Orchestra (1982) Papanui Road Overture |
Relatives | Anthony Ritchie (son) |
John Anthony Ritchie (29 September 1921 – 29 September 2014) was a New Zealand composer and professor of music at the University of Canterbury.
Born in Wellington in 1921, [1] Ritchie attended the University of Otago, graduating with a Diploma of Music in 1943 and a MusB the following year. [2] He also trained as a teacher at Dunedin Teachers' College. [1] Later, between 1956 and 1957, he undertook postgraduate study with Walter Piston at Harvard University. [1] He was the father of composer Anthony Ritchie. [3]
During World War II he held the rank of sub-lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve and served with the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. [4] [5]
Ritchie was appointed a junior lecturer in music at Canterbury University College (now the University of Canterbury) in 1946, [5] and rose to become head of department and professor in 1962. [1] He also served as dean of the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, [6] and was deputy vice-chancellor of the university between 1977 and 1980. [5] He retired in 1985 and was granted the title professor emeritus. [5]
A talented clarinetist, Ritchie was, in 1958, the eponymous founder and conductor of the John Ritchie String Orchestra, which developed into the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. [6] As a composer his output included works for choir, instrumental ensemble, brass band and orchestra. [6] He was the director of music for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch and the 1986 visit of Pope John Paul II to New Zealand. [1]
In 1981 Ritchie was elected an individual member of the International Music Council, [6] and in 1992 he was awarded the Composers Association of New Zealand Citation for service to New Zealand music. [1] He was an honorary life member of the International Society for Music Education, [6] and in 2000 he received an honorary MusD from the University of Canterbury. [7]
Ritchie died in Christchurch in 2014 on his 93rd birthday. [4]
John Ritchie | |
---|---|
Born | John Anthony Ritchie 29 September 1921
Wellington, New Zealand |
Died | 29 September 2014
Christchurch, New Zealand | (aged 93)
Alma mater | University of Otago |
Employer | University of Canterbury |
Known for | Composer, conductor, music educator |
Notable work |
Concertino for Clarinet and String Orchestra (1957) Ergo Tua Rura Manebunt (1973) Aquarius: Suite No. 2 for String Orchestra (1982) Papanui Road Overture |
Relatives | Anthony Ritchie (son) |
John Anthony Ritchie (29 September 1921 – 29 September 2014) was a New Zealand composer and professor of music at the University of Canterbury.
Born in Wellington in 1921, [1] Ritchie attended the University of Otago, graduating with a Diploma of Music in 1943 and a MusB the following year. [2] He also trained as a teacher at Dunedin Teachers' College. [1] Later, between 1956 and 1957, he undertook postgraduate study with Walter Piston at Harvard University. [1] He was the father of composer Anthony Ritchie. [3]
During World War II he held the rank of sub-lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve and served with the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. [4] [5]
Ritchie was appointed a junior lecturer in music at Canterbury University College (now the University of Canterbury) in 1946, [5] and rose to become head of department and professor in 1962. [1] He also served as dean of the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, [6] and was deputy vice-chancellor of the university between 1977 and 1980. [5] He retired in 1985 and was granted the title professor emeritus. [5]
A talented clarinetist, Ritchie was, in 1958, the eponymous founder and conductor of the John Ritchie String Orchestra, which developed into the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. [6] As a composer his output included works for choir, instrumental ensemble, brass band and orchestra. [6] He was the director of music for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch and the 1986 visit of Pope John Paul II to New Zealand. [1]
In 1981 Ritchie was elected an individual member of the International Music Council, [6] and in 1992 he was awarded the Composers Association of New Zealand Citation for service to New Zealand music. [1] He was an honorary life member of the International Society for Music Education, [6] and in 2000 he received an honorary MusD from the University of Canterbury. [7]
Ritchie died in Christchurch in 2014 on his 93rd birthday. [4]