Ronald Binge was a British composer and arranger, born in 1910 in Derby, England. Growing up in a working-class neighbourhood, he began his musical journey as a chorister at a local church. He studied at the Derby School of Music and became skilled at playing the organ. In the early years of his career, he worked as a cinema organist and played in summer orchestras at seaside resorts such as Blackpool. Binge gained fame by arranging music for the renowned conductor Mantovani, including the famous piece “Charmaine”.

After serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, Binge focused on composing original works. His most famous compositions include “Elizabethan Serenade”, which became well-known through the BBC. Another notable piece, “Sailing By”, is associated with the late-night Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. Binge’s unique “cascading strings” effect, first heard in “Charmaine”, is a hallmark of his light orchestral music, making his contributions to British music memorable.