Ronald Zecher de Kant Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ronald de Kant was born in Lancaster, PA, on Oct. 30, 1931. He passed away on June 22, 2016, in Cincinnati, OH. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Mitchell of Cincinnati, daughter Monique (Niki) of Vancouver, BC, and cousin Barrie Zecher (wife Leoma) of Lititz, PA. De Kant received the Artist Diploma from Juilliard in 1953, where he studied with Daniel Bonade. Following Juilliard, during his military service, he taught for two years at the U.S. Naval School of Music in Washington, DC. He then performed as principal clarinet for a year in Toronto with Canada's National Ballet Orchestra. From 1956 until 1965 he was principal clarinet with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra., then principal clarinet of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra from 1965 until 1980. He was also principal clarinet of the CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra 1967-1983 and performed with the Santa Fe Opera 1970-1972. An active chamber musician, at various times he was a member of the New Orleans Woodwind Quintet, the Vancouver Woodwind Quintet, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, and the Cassenti Players. He was a soloist with both the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra. Recordings as clarinet soloist include the Mozart Quintet with the Purcell String Quartet and the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra. Ronald taught at the university level concurrently with his orchestral appointments in both New Orleans and Vancouver. He taught part-time at the University of British Columbia from 1965 to 1980, then full-time until 1983. From 1977 to 1984 he coached woodwinds at the Banff Centre for the Arts, where he premiered the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by Oscar Morawetz. He was professor of clarinet at Arizona State University 1983-1987 and professor of clarinet at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music from 1987 until his retirement in 2004. At UC he also served as chair of woodwinds and brass 1989-2004. He taught clarinet at Louisiana State University during the 2004-5 academic year. Many of his former students have held positions in major Canadian and US orchestras and military bands. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Ronald Zecher de Kant

October 30, 1931 - June 22, 2016

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Ronald Zecher de Kant

October 30, 1931 - June 22, 2016

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