The School of Music sadly announces the passing of Dr. Donald E. McGinnis on October 28, 2016. He was a valued colleague, mentor and friend to many. He will be missed not only by his family, friends and colleagues in the School of Music, but also the many whose lives he touched through his teaching.

Born in Barberton, Ohio to Samuel and Ruth McGinnis, Dr. McGinnis was a distinguished musician, Professor Emeritus, and Director of Bands Emeritus at The Ohio State University. As an avid fan of collegiate sports and native Ohioan, Dr. McGinnis was an enthusiastic supporter of both the Ohio State football and basketball teams. His love of sports was eclipsed by his lifelong devotion to music since childhood. Dr. McGinnis completed his collegiate education with undergraduate degrees in clarinet performance and music education from Oberlin College, followed by MA and PhD degrees in music theory and composition from the University of Iowa. His dissertation was his own composition Symphony for Band, available from Hal Leonard.

During his career with Ohio State, Dr. McGinnis became the conductor of the Concert Band. Under his leadership, the Concert Band earned national and international recognition with performances in illustrious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Outside the School of Music, he was the principal clarinetist of the Columbus Symphony for two years, and the principal flutist for another ten years. After retiring from Ohio State, he was the interim conductor of the Capital University Wind Ensemble and Columbus Youth Wind Ensemble (1979-80), conductor of the Southeastern Symphony Orchestra in New Concord, Ohio (1979-87) and interim band director at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1989).

Musical Legends "A Life Timeline" - Ohio Music Education Association

Family will receive friends SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016 from 2-5 p.m. at the TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St. in Hilliard, OH 43026, (614)-876-1722. A private funeral service will be held at a later date in addition to a memorial concert at the Ohio State School of Music.

In 2012 the Donald E. McGinnis School of Music New Day Fund was established in his honor by friends, colleagues and former students as an initiative to revitalize the facilities of the School of Music. Memorial contributions may be made at the link above or take the form of checks mailed to The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43221. Checks should be payable to The Ohio State University Foundation. Please indicate the Donald E. McGinnis School of Music New Day Fund #314212 in the memo line.

Our condolences to everyone whose life was touched by this extraordinary man.

Dr. McGinnis' obituary