THE ROBERT T. RALSTON CHAIR
The Midland Symphony Orchestra seeks to endow the MSO Principal Horn Chair in name of a musician who had a hand in teaching hundreds of Midland students to play and love music.
Robert Taylor Ralston, 82, of Midland, died Friday, June 5, 2009, in Midland after a short battle with cancer. During his long tenure in Midland, he directed Midland High School’s orchestra, headed Midland Public Schools’ music program, conducted the Chemical City Band and the Midland Community Orchestra, played in the Midland Symphony Orchestra and taught horn students privately.
Memorial gifts can be offered to the Midland Symphony Orchestra in order to endow the MSO Principal Horn Chair in Bob's name. By contributing to the endowment, you can honor Bob in perpetuity by naming this chair in the section Bob performed with for many years. With your support, "The Robert T. Ralston Chair" will appear on the Midland Symphony Orchestra personnel page for seasons to come.
Checks can be made payable to:
The Robert T. Ralston Chair - MCFTA
and sent to:
Midland Symphony Orchestra
1801 W. St. Andrews Rd.
Midland, MI 48640.
Robert T. Ralston was born on November 19, 1926, in Columbia, MO, to the late Lawrence Taylor Ralston and Minnie Smiley Ralston. Following his graduation from Hickman High School in Columbia in 1944, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and attended the Navy School of Music. He was a member of the Navy Band assigned to Kaneohe Naval Air Base in Hawaii. Bob was a graduate of Oberlin College, OH, and earned a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University.
He taught in Willard, OH, Elkhart, IN and South Bend, IN schools, before moving to Midland in 1973, where he served as Coordinator of Music for the Midland Public Schools and Director of the Midland High School Orchestra until his retirement in 1989. In a special tribute from John Engler in 1995, the Michigan Governor stated that Bob introduced the magic of music to his students while encouraging growth and an interest in the ageless beauty of the masters. His success was widely recognized and appreciated, and, in 1982, he was named Orchestra Director of the Year by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
Bob was a tireless champion for youth and their endeavors in the fine arts. For twelve years, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. In this position he gave generously of his time and talent to further their goals. The number of meetings over which he presided and the hours spent organizing events were efforts resulting in important opportunities for the young people of Michigan.
In 1983, Bob and his wife Alice were named Midland's Musicians of the Year by the Midland Symphony and the Music Society. For over 30 years Bob played horn in the Midland Symphony, and served several terms on its Board of Managers. He also was on the Board of Managers of the Community Concert Society.
After his retirement, Bob, along with Lawrence Guenther and Vernon Stenger, organized the Midland Community Orchestra "for those folks who wanted to play music just for the love of it." After 16 years, Bob retired as their conductor, picked up his horn and joined the horn section to continue his life-long love of making music.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church and sang in the Chancel Choir. His memberships included the International Horn Society, American String Teachers' Association, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, and Kiwassee Kiwanis Club of which he served as Treasurer for the past 18 years.
In addition to his wife Alice, he is survived by his son Kevin Taylor Ralston of Grand Rapids, and daughters Ann Marie (Thomas) Hartmann of Evanston, IL and Amy Louise Ralston of Aylesbury, England, two grandchildren, Quinn Taylor Hartmann and Mikayla Marie Hartmann, his sister Jean Barns of Lenexa, KS, his brother James (Susan) Ralston of Lawrence, KS, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
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