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 the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees 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 in clarinet performance. Further graduate study became evident, with the possibility of university level teaching as a career path and he returned to Texas for additional graduate study with Professor Leland Monger at the University of Texas, Austin, where he received the Doctorate of Musical Arts in clarinet performance degree.
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.
Like for many performing musicians, occupational opportunities sometimes develop organically. Such was Dr. Grant's administrative appointments. Before assuming the position of Director of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at Morehead State University, administrative positions were held in North Carolina, Texas and Michigan. He has served on the National Association of Schools of Music board of directors, as regional chair for Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and currently as accreditation site evaluator.
Dr. Grant is a Yamaha 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.
