Dr. Donald R. Grant began his formal training as a musician at the United States Navy School of Music, graduating with honors in clarinet performance. After an initial duty assignment in Washington DC, he was reassigned as principal clarinetist of the United States Navy Band in Nice, France. While in Europe, he pursued further study under the tutelage of two eminent clarinetists: Marcel Amyl of the Opera d ‘Nice and Vincent Morales of the Academy of Lice in Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Grant’s unique blend of both American and European concepts of sound led to both solo and chamber music performance opportunities throughout the major capitals of southern Europe.
Upon his honorable discharge, he auditioned and won the principal E-flat and 2nd Clarinet position with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. After a two year stint in Texas, he was awarded a full tuition scholarship for both a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University in Bloomington. While a student of Professor Bernard Portnoy, he was appointed Associate Instructor of Clarinet and was the first undergraduate student of clarinet to receive the Indiana Fellowship Award for Graduate Studies. Recognizing the potential for a university-level teaching career, he returned to Texas to pursue further graduate studies with Professor Leland Monger at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance.
While establishing a performance career, he was also able to couple an active teaching career both in public school, college, and university posts. He has held principal clarinet positions in the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Salisbury Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony (North Carolina), Midland-Odessa Symphony, Big Spring Orchestra (Texas), and the Marquette Symphony Orchestra (Michigan). He has performed solo and chamber music recitals in Indiana, Texas, New Mexico, North and South Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
Dr. Grant’s transition into academic administration followed a natural progression, as career opportunities often do for performing musicians. Prior to his appointment as Director of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Morehead State University, he held administrative roles in North Carolina, Texas, and Michigan. His national service includes membership on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Schools of Music, serving as regional chair for Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, and currently working as an accreditation site evaluator.
Dr. Grant is a Yamaha Performing Artist. His choice of instruments was based on the broad palate of sound qualities available without compromising any musical challenge, and of course, the unmatched craftsmanship of design.