Robert Kelmsley Orr CBE was a Scottish composer. Born in Brechin, he studied at the Royal College of Music in London and at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Following studies with Alfredo Casella and Nadia Boulanger he returned to Cambridge in 1938 as Organist of St John's College. During his war service Herbert Howells deputized for him. After World War II he became a lecturer at Cambridge and a professor at the Royal College of Music, then Gardiner Professor of Music at Glasgow University from 1956 to 1965. He returned to Cambridge in 1965 as Professor of Music, a post he held until his retirement in 1976. He was made a CBE in 1972. His works include three operas: Full Circle, Hermiston and On the Razzle, three Symphonies, and the Sinfonietta Helvetica, alongside church music and solo and chamber works. 

June 2nd, 1909 in Brechin  /  Died:   Apr 9th, 2006 - at the age of 96