Highgate Choral Society's Ronald Corp awarded OBE

Choral composer and director of the Highgate Choral Society Rev Ronald Corp has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours list. The conductor and musical director of the New London Orchestra and the New London Children's Choir, who joined HCS in 1985, was awarded the OBE for services to music.

The 200-strong Highgate Choral Society is one of London's oldest and most acclaimed choirs. Founded in 1878, the choir regularly performs in London and has toured overseas to Paris, Brussels, Venice and Prague. In 2009 the choir toured Finland and Estonia.

As well as performing well-known choral works such as Haydn's Creation, Handel's Messiah and Brahms' German Requiem, the choir presents new works including those by Rev Corp who is also a prolific composer. Works including And All The Trumpets Sounded and Dhammapada can be purchased on CD.

In addition to his work with HCS, Rev Corp founded the New London Orchestra in 1988, and in 1991 launched the New London Children's Choir, one of the busiest and most successful children's choirs in the country.

Rev Corp described himself as "honoured" to receive the OBE, which is awarded for nationally-recognised service to the community. The award will be presented at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace later this year.

Catch the Highgate Choral Society in action on 11 February performing Bach's St John Passion in Gospel Oak.

Image: John Reddihough