John Ritchie (composer)

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]