WITH the death of Ronald Walker, or Ronnie as almost everyone called him, Scotland lost one of its most gifted musicians and teachers. Educated at John Neilson Institution, Paisley, Ronnie came under the influence of the legendary James Roy, head of
music at that school.
Aged 14, he was appointed assistant organist at Paisley Abbey by J D McCrae, who introduced him to the cathedral repertoire which was to inspire him for the rest of his life. Even at this early stage there was evidence of that great musical talent which was an integral part of Ronnie's personality, with composition a major part of that talent.
This talent was developed further at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where Ronnie studied from 1962-65. It was a very different RSAMD in those days, with the patrician figure of Henry Havergal as principal and a complement of often brilliant and sometimes eccentric staff, some of whom, such as John Gordon Cameron, had been part of the last stages of the English musical renaissance.
Owen Swindale was Ronnie's harmony and counterpoint teacher and a considerable influence upon him. In his final year Ronnie won the prestigious Governors' Composition Prize (for which there were many aspirants) with a four-movement string quartet. As a result of this award, Ronnie came to study composition in London with Alan Bush, the left-wing composer, and this was another formative influence.
Ronnie returned to John Neilson as James Roy's assistant and this was a happy time. Ronnie was a natural teacher – gifted, humorous, often inspiring and assured in his methods (and these were sometimes different from the orthodox ones) and he brought out the best in his pupils.
It was no surprise when, in 1970, he was appointed principal teacher of music at Kilmarnock Academy. As head of department, he found his gifts as a teacher, conductor and composer coming to full fruition. This was a time of great fulfilment. Quite simply he inspired his pupils, who regarded him with respect and affection and responded in ways that brought often spectacular results.
His time at Kilmarnock Academy was a musical cornucopia of choirs, orchestras, concerts, operas and oratorios – most memorably a superb performance of Bach's St John Passion.
In 1982 Ronnie was appointed music adviser in the Dunbarton division of Strathclyde region. Thus began a period of exceptional achievement in the development of the musical lives of the pupils and staff under his care. Ronnie's inventive and often hilarious solutions to situations which others may have seen as insurmountable obstacles became legendary.
Staffrooms in schools and residential centres erupted in uncontrollable laughter as he cajoled colleagues to join him, often with real trepidation, in vastly ambitious performances of orchestral and choral works.
Rehearsals had a sense of controlled chaos as they fluctuated from high intensity to moments of side-splitting hilarity. The joy and enthusiasm he brought to the proceedings were totally infectious. In such an atmosphere it was almost impossible for those involved not to produce performances which were well beyond normal expectation.
It was a source of great satisfaction to Ronnie that during this period the Dunbarton Division Orchestra progressed from performances in Gartocharn Primary School to the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. He was prolific in composing and arranging music for a vast array of performances, which, for those taking part, were often marked by a mixture of admiration and mild anxiety brought about by his unnerving habit of not producing scores.
As an adviser in Strathclyde region, Ronnie was heavily involved in every aspect of curriculum development and served on many committees and working parties. Through his involvement with these and the examination board he was a major contributor to the introduction of Standard grade music and to various revisions of the Higher music syllabus.
Following his early retiral from the post of adviser, Ronnie embarked upon a more entrepreneurial career as consultant, lecturer, composer and conductor. During this time the large regions were replaced by unitary authorities, which led to his involvement in helping to establish the West of Scotland Schools Orchestra and Concert Band as a means of continuing to provide the valuable opportunities which had been offered to pupils from the former Strathclyde area by the Strathclyde Schools Orchestra and Wind Band. Latterly he became a lecturer at Strathclyde University and delighted in passing on his vast knowledge of music to yet another generation of teachers.
Beyond his involvement in education, Ronnie is remembered fondly as a former conductor of the St James Orchestra in Paisley. As a choral conductor he had strong links with Paisley Abbey and with groups such as the Dorian Choir, Helensburgh.
A man of deep personal faith, he made an enormous contribution to church life through his work as an organist, choirmaster and musical director. Much of this work involved providing young people with the opportunity to play in the church orchestra.
Ronnie was endowed with great gifts which he shared freely with all who came into contact with him. He was blessed with an enormous capacity to spread joy among those around him, even though his own life was touched by deep tragedy.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne, along with four of his five children from his previous marriage to Rosalind.
A memorial concert will take place in the early part of 2009 to celebrate the life of Ronald H Walker, a remarkable individual who is remembered with much affection by so many.
I B GALBRAITH and G J KELLY
The full article contains 941 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
