The Surrey College of Music was founded in 1946 by music teacher and educational composer John Longmire (1902-1986) with composer and organist Reginald Jevons (1901-1981). It was based at Fitznells Manor in Ewell, and received support from many of the leading musical luminaries of the time, including Sir Arnold Bax as president and Sir Adrian Boult as one of the Vice Presidents. (The other Vice President was the Home Secretary James Chuter Ede). Other musicians on the teaching staff included pianist and composer Percy Turnbull and harpsichordist Ruth Dyson (1907-1997).