Rodolfo

Cornejo 1909-1991

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS:

❖ DOCTOR OF MUSIC, HONORIS CAUSA,
CHICAGO MUSICAL COLLEGE, 1954
❖ DISTINGUISHED MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD, MANILA SYMPHONY SOCIET Y ,
1957
❖ CERTIFICATE OF MERIT , PASAY CIT Y
MAYOR, 1971
Impromptu Classical Improvisation
Born on May 15, 1909 in
Singalong , Manila.

Father: Miguel Reyes

Cornejo
Mother: Crisanta
Cornejo

At the age of 8, he
became the organist of
the Pasay Catholic Church
At the age of 10, he
composed his first
piece which was
dedicated to his mother
“Glissando Waltz” .
At the age of 13, he
composed a military
march titles “Salute”.
At the age of 14,
he entered the UP
Conservatory of
Music .
In 1932, he acquired his
Bachelor of Music in Piano
from the Chicago Musical
College in US . He also
finished degree in Master of
Music Composition from the
same school
In 1947, He finished his Doctor of Philosophy in
Composition at the Neotarian College in Kansas City.
In 1949, he married the lyric
soprano , Nieves Guerrero. The
couple had 5 children
In 1950, he received his
Teacher’s Diploma in
pianoforte and another
Teacher’s Diploma in
Science and Composition.

He was able to teach the

following brilliant people
(here are some)
Aida
Lucio
Enya San
Felipe
Flora Sanz
Pedro
Gonzales
De
Zarco
Leon
In August 11,
1991, He died in
Manila
 His major works includes the
For Choir: For Voice and Piano :
following:
1. A la Juventud Filipina, 1. Three Songs, 1939
1934 2. Beneath This Heart of
2. Mass in F minor, 1936 Clay , 1959
3. The Miracles of Christ
, 1947 For Orchestra:
1. The Allies, 1943
2. Oriental Fantasy, 1944
For Theater: 3. Ruby, 1964
1. Together (operetta) ,
1937 For Piano Solo:
2. Ibong Adarna (Ballet) , 1. The Season-Song
1970 Cycle, 1932
3. Bailes de Ayer (Ballet), 2. Philippine Symphony
1974 No.1, 2, 3 , 1939 ,
1942,1947
For influencing his musical style, Dr. Rodolfo
Cornejo was grateful to the following
professors:
• Francisco Santiago & Glenn Dillard Gunn
on piano.
• Alexander Lippay, Bernard Rogers,
Howard Hanson, & Vittorio Giannini on
composition
• Nicanor Abelardo on theory and harmony
• Dr. Rudolf Ganz on conducting and piano