About John Ritchie
Lived 1921 – 2014 (aged 93). John Ritchie was a New Zealand conductor and composer.
John Anthony Ritchie (29 September 1921 – 29 September 2014) was a New Zealand composer and professor of music at the University of Canterbury.
Biography Born in Wellington in 1921, Ritchie attended the University of Otago, graduating with a Diploma of Music in 1943 and a MusB the following year. He also trained as a teacher at Dunedin Teachers' College.
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.
Ritchie was appointed a junior lecturer in music at Canterbury University College (now the University of Canterbury) in 1946, and was deputy vice-chancellor of the university between 1977 and 1980.
Ritchie died in Christchurch in 2014 on his 93rd birthday.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Ritchie?
New Zealand composer
When was John Ritchie born?
John Ritchie was born on 29 September 1921 in Wellington.
When did John Ritchie die?
John Ritchie died on 29 September 2014 in Christchurch.
What was John Ritchie's occupation?
John Ritchie was a conductor and composer.
What nationality was John Ritchie?
John Ritchie was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Ritchie (composer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Ritchie. https://biography.guide/john-ritchie-conductor/
MLA: "John Ritchie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-ritchie-conductor/.
Chicago: "John Ritchie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-ritchie-conductor/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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