Biography
Ron Dellow was a quiet dynamo, a modest man who contributed much to the music of Auckland. Choirmaster, composer, organist, harpsichordist, teacher and, above all, a tireless administrator, his many talents were recognised in 1980 with an MBE for services to music. Composer John Rimmer quotes a 12th century Chinese poem, when asked about Ron: "If you want to be a leader, walk behind the people rather than in front of them."
But Ron Dellow was more than just a leader, he was a helper. As Rimmer puts it, "a humble person who got things done and who stimulated others to help him to do things he wanted to do". In 1954, Dellow co-founded the New Zealand Recorder Society. One of New Zealand's first professionally trained church musicians, his skill as choirmaster and organist enriched many churches. For 21 years, Dellow was one of the driving forces behind the Cambridge Music School, his "crowning achievement".