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12

May 2021

Last Updated: 11/05/2021

Ripon Cathedral appoints new director of music

by Tim Flanagan

| 12 May, 2021
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Ripon's ancient cathedral, which celebrates its 1,350th anniversary next year, has appointed a new director of music to carry forward its strong musical tradition. German organist Dr Ronny Krippner will take up the post in January.

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German organist Dr Ronny Krippner has been appointed director of music at Ripon Cathedral.

Dr. Krippner, who is currently organist and director of choral music at Croydon Minster and Whitgift School in London, will start in January.


He will take over from the cathedral’s interim director of music, Peter Wright.

Born in Bavaria, Dr Krippner has considerable experience of both the German and British choral traditions.


Described by BBC Music Magazine as a 'phenomenal improviser', Dr Krippner has recorded CDs of organ and choir music on German record labels.

He has performed on television and radio in Germany and the UK.

He has performed organ recitals in Germany, Holland, Belgium, the UK, the United States, Mexico and Australia.

Ripon's music tradition


Music is an integral part of services and other aspects of life at Ripon Cathedral so this is a key appointment.

Dr Krippner will take charge of the cathedral choir, which consists of boy and girl choristers aged 8 to13 and professional adult singers.

The cathedral's website says about the choir:

"They sing six services each week and at the great festivals of Christmas and Easter.
"CD recordings, broadcasts, concerts and tours are a major part of the choir’s schedule."


Dr Krippner studied organ playing and improvisation with Prof. Franz-Josef Stoiber at the Hochschule für Kirchenmusik in Regensburg while at the same time working as assistant choirmaster of the Regensburger Domspatzen, Regensburg Cathedral's famous boys' choir.


After graduating, he went to Exeter University to take his master's degree in English Cathedral Music, while singing in the city's cathedral choir as a choral scholar.






Building on his twin musical foundations, Dr Krippner went on to take up various posts.


In 2005 he became organ scholar at Bristol Cathedral, organist at Clifton College and a member of staff at Bristol Grammar school, combining his expertise in organ playing with a gift for choral direction.







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After a period working at Newport Cathedral, he moved to London where he was organist and teacher of music at King's College School, Wimbledon.


In addition to his school activities, Dr Krippner also held the post of assistant director of music at the celebrated 'Handel church', St George's, Hanover Square, London, with its professional choir and annual Handel Festival.