Curtis Mourns the Passing of Ron Reuben (Clarinet '55)

The Curtis Institute of Music mourns the passing of Ron Reuben (Clarinet ’55), who died on Sunday, September 11, at age 90. A native Philadelphian, Mr. Reuben played bass clarinetist for The Philadelphia Orchestra from 1967 to 2015. Prior to entering Curtis as a student of Anthony Gigliotti, he attended Olney High School and Temple University. After graduation, he performed with several jazz bands, including the Stan Kenton Orchestra, before joining the Chicago Little Symphony and the Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia.

Mr. Reuben was clarinet soloist for The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where he notably performed Leonard Bernstein’s Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs. He would go on to become a beloved member of the ensemble for over four decades. As a chamber recitalist, he was prominently featured in The Philadelphia Orchestra’s chamber music concerts. Throughout his career, Mr. Reuben was often praised for his forays into the world of jazz. He was highlighted in The New York Times for his improvised saxophone solo with the American Composers Orchestra, led by Dennis Russell Davies. He was also prominently featured on the cover of the January/February 1998 issue of Saxophone Journal.

Mr. Reuben, a former Buffet Crampon USA Performing Artist, taught private lessons and served on the faculties of Temple University and Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. He will be sorely missed by the Curtis community. We extend our sympathies to his family, friends, students, and colleagues.

Read a moving tribute HERE from Mr. Reuben’s friend and mentee, Ed Joffe.