Ron Purcell

Ronald Charles Purcell (October 5, 1932 – September 7, 2011) was an American guitarist, with degrees from the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and California State University, Northridge.[1] He was Professor Emeritus of the Department of Music at California State University, Northridge and Director of the International Guitar Research Archive, considered one of the finest guitar archives in the world.[2] His major teachers included Andrés Segovia, Emilio Pujol, Macario Santiago Kastner, Alirio Diaz and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco,[3] whose Hommage to Purcell, Op. 170, No. 38 is dedicated to him.

Early life and career

Purcell was born in Santa Clara, California. He studied music at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, earning a (Bachelor of Music degree in 1960, and California State University, Northridge, graduating from CSUN (then known as San Fernando Valley State College) with a master's degree in 1970.[3][4] Purcell joined the faculty at CSUN in 1971 and taught until his retirement in 2006.[5] He produced recordings with Klavier Records and El Maestro Records and published two books and numerous performance editions with Chanterelle, Warner/Chappell (formerly Belwin-Mills) and editions with Mel Bay Publishing Co. including the complete works of Miguel Llobet and works by Laurindo Almeida. Purcell wrote many scholarly journal articles, as well as books on Andres Segovia and Vahdah Olcott-Bickford.[3] He served as the first president and later as a board member for the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) and as editor for the American String Teachers Association, Guitar Division, ASTA Journal. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Guitar Society[6][4] and Director of the International Guitar Research Archives (IGRA), where he collected thousands of scores and archival materials.[7][8][9] Purcell was elected Vice President to the Board of Directors for the Augustine Foundation in New York City.

Personal life

His first wife was Joanne B. Purcell, a professor of romance languages at the University of California, Davis until her death from cancer in 1984. He married Beth Purcell in 1985. Purcell had a son and two daughters, along with two stepchildren.[4]

Death

Purcell died on September 7, 2011, at the age of 78 at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.[10][4]

Legacy

An annual student fellowship and scholarship is given in Purcell's memory at California State University, Northridge.[11] The International Guitar Research Archives (IGRA), held in the University Library at California State University, Northridge, have grown since his death, with recent acquisitions of the Reginald Smith Brindle collection, the Guitar Foundation of America archive, and many others.[7]

Honors

References
  1. Benefield, Brad. "Dr. Ronald C. Purcell's Obituary on Los Angeles Times." Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
  2. Biederman, Patricia Ward (September 21, 1998). "Motherly Instincts and a Passion for Guitar". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  3. Cooper, Colin; Micheli, Lorenzo (April 2003). "Ronald Purcell: Interview". Classical Guitar. 21 (8): 18–24.
  4. Postlewate, Charles (November 2011). "In Memoriam: Ron Purcell, First President of GFA". Classical Guitar. 30 (3): 30.
  5. Rivera, Natalie (February 8, 2012). "Memorial concert to be held for emeritus professor of music". The Sundial. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  6. Appleford, Steve (October 27, 1991). "Asphalt Ballet Starts Off Eclectic Album With Heavy Metal Headbanging". Los Angeles Times.
  7. "International Guitar Research Archives (IGRA)". Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  8. Becker, Maki (November 11, 1994). "Famed Guitarist Donates 1,000 Items to CSUN". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  9. "Grant in Key with CSUN Music Scores". Los Angeles Daily News. February 20, 2008.
  10. "Dr. Ronald C. Purcell". September 28, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  11. Steward, Bronwyn (Summer 2015). "We Would Like You to Meet: Raul Buenfil". Oviatt Library Enews. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
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