Ron Samuels was appointed second clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by the eminent conductor Mariss Jansons at the start of the 2001-2002 season. He holds the Sidney Stark, Jr. Memorial Chair. He was invited to join the faculty of Duquesne University that same year.  Previously, he was a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and he served as principal clarinetist of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, guest principal clarinetist with both the Minnesota Orchestra and San Diego Symphony, and guest second clarinetist with the Cleveland Orchestra. 

Ron Samuels has been described as “a highly captivating musical presence” (Los Angeles Times), and that he “performs skillfully and stylishly with verve and impressive musicianship” (Fanfare). 

 

A native of San Francisco, Ron Samuels has enjoyed a richly varied career as a symphonic musician, chamber music and concerto soloist, and as a collegiate professor and master class clinician. He graduated from the University of Southern California where he studied with Mitchell Lurie and where he has frequently returned as a guest lecturer. 

Ron Samuels has appeared on chamber music and recital series throughout the United States, Colombia and Argentina. He has also been a featured soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded contemporary chamber music for Opus One Records, Toccata Classics, Hearts of Space Records, and a solo CD for KOCH International Classics featuring an all-French program and highlighted by the world-premiere recording of an early 19th-century concerto by Charles Duvernoy.  

Ron Samuels has championed the music of several contemporary composers and has participated in performances, on recordings, and as part of consortiums of several new-work commissions. Among these have been Anthony Iannaccone’s Concertante for Clarinet and Orchestra for which he gave the American premiere; William Albright’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings; John Harbison’s Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet and Orchestra; and three premier performances of works by the late David Stock – Sea of Reeds for Reed Trio, Anasazi Moonlight for Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano, and Klezmer Dreams for Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet.  

Currently on the faculty of Duquesne University, Ron Samuels has been a guest lecturer at the University of Michigan and the Interlochen Arts Academy, and he has given master classes at several schools, including the University of Southern California, Oberlin College, and in Spain, Colombia, Argentina and Chile. 

During the summer, Ron Samuels is on the faculty of the ARIA International Summer Academy.  He has also been the principal clarinetist of the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Santa Fe Opera.  He is a Yamaha Artist and Vandoren Artist.  He performs on Yamaha YCL-CSVR clarinets, and Vandoren mouthpieces and reeds.