Gipps, Ruth (1921–)

English composer and conductor. Born Feb 20, 1921, in East Sussex, England; one of two children of Bryan Gipps (violinist) and Hélène (Johner) Gipps (pianist); attended Brickwall School for Girls, Northiam; attended "The Gables" (preparatory school for boys where she was allowed to enroll because her brother had also attended); attended Bexhill County School; studied music at Royal College of Music, London; received doctorate in music from Durham University, 1947; m. Robert Baker (clarinetist), in Mar 1941; children: one son, Lance (b. 1947).

Entered Royal College of Music at 15, where she took up the oboe and began to compose seriously; studied composition with R.O. Morris, Gordon Jacob, and Vaughan Williams, whose influence can be heard in her early compositions; during early career, worked as an orchestral oboist and appeared as a concert pianist; through WWII, was a member of Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA); continued study of conducting with George Weldon and Stanford Robinson; was choirmaster of City of Birmingham Choir (1948–50); abandoned piano to concentrate on conducting (1954); led the London Repertory Orchestra (1955–61), then founded the Chanticleer Orchestra; also built a distinguished teaching record, including a professorship at Trinity College (1959–66), 10 years as a professor of composition at Royal College of Music (1967–77), and a year as a principal lecturer at Kingston Polytechnic (1979); compositions include five symphonies, concertos for violin, piano, violin and viola, and horn, several choral works, and chamber music. Made a Member of the British Empire (MBE, 1981).

See also Women in World History.