Ronald L. Phillips

Ronald L. Phillips, age 84, of Independence, passed away June 17, 2019. He was born in Belleville, Illinois, but at the age of eight, moved with his family to the west side of Cleveland. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elaine (nee Wightman), parents, Mary and Charles Phillips, and brother, Allen Phillips. He is survived by his children, Suzanne Bradley (Peter), Charles Phillips (Richard Rounds), Siobhan Chetnik, and Karen Jessie, as well grandchildren Gregory, Jennifer, Sara, Lia and Luke. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren Gaige, Layla, Leland, Leighton, Alaina and Keegan, his sister-in-law, Kay Phillips, nieces, nephews, and many friends, former students and colleagues.

Ron was the Assistant Principal Bassoonist for The Cleveland Orchestra for 38 years, retiring in 2001. He first began playing the bassoon in junior high school, after the school’s band instructor showed him the instrument. He was intrigued by the appearance and sound of the bassoon, and thereafter began studying under the former Principal Bassoonist of the Cleveland Orchestra, George Goslee. He also played for The Cleveland Pops Orchestra while in his teens.

Ron completed two years at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., studying under Vincent Pezzi, Principal Bassoon of the Rochester Philharmonic. He left Eastman in 1954 to join the Navy Band, where he completed four years of duty, and studied under Sol Schoenbach, Principal Bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1958, Schoenbach advised him of a second bassoon opening for the New Orleans Philharmonic, which he won. As fate would have it, he became reacquainted with his former Eastman classmate, Elaine Wightman, who was a cellist in New Orleans, and they were married in 1959. He was invited by George Szell to audition for the Assistant Principal Bassoon position with the Cleveland Orchestra in 1960, and after auditioning for Szell, Louis Lane and George Goslee, he was offered, and signed, a contract on the spot. During his first 15 years with the orchestra, in an effort to make ends meet for his family, he taught bassoon at Oberlin College, Baldwin-Wallace, Cleveland State, Kent State and the Cleveland Institute of Music. He also taught many students at home, which was an instructive and enjoyable experience for his four children, who would perch on the upper landing of the staircase at home, and listen to his unique style of teaching. He had a great ability to convey what he wanted to hear and have students replicate it. Ron was a member of the orchestra when they did their first tour behind the iron curtain, which lasted 10 weeks. He frequently recalled the first Asia tour in 1970, which was Szell’s last. The orchestra and Szell were very well-received in both Japan and South Korea.

Ron also served as the orchestra’s Assistant Personnel Manager under George Szell and Lorin Maazel, until his departure for 3 years in 1975, when he and his family moved to California to assist with a family business. After realizing that this endeavor was not for him, he was asked by Maazel if he wanted to return to his seat with the orchestra, which he readily accepted. He returned for the fall season in 1978, remaining until retirement. He was a member of the orchestra’s union negotiations committee, as well as continuing with teaching at the university level and through the Kent-Blossom Music Festival. Following retirement in 2001, he and Elaine travelled extensively, and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, managing to take four of them on trips to Europe when they were in their teens. When asked about his career with the orchestra, his reply was always, “I’m just one of the guys in the band.” He was always humble about his own accomplishments, but was incredibly proud of his colleagues and the collective talents that make the Cleveland Orchestra the world class ensemble that it was and continues to be. He always referred to “the Cleveland sound”, which he felt was being passed along, even as his generation of orchestra members has retired.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 1 PM to 5 PM at Bollinger-Bican Funeral Home 9810 Denison Avenue, Cleveland. Honor guard will be present at the conclusion of visitation. There will be a reception to follow at the family home at 8304 Montello Rd., Independence, beginning at 6 PM. A memorial service and inurnment are being planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, St. Jude Research Hospital for Children, or Hospice of the Western Reserve.