Charles Ellis-MacLeod

Retired San Diego Symphony and Opera Orchestra clarinetist, Charles Ellis-MacLeod, died on Sunday, October 30, 2011. His wife of 29 years, Elissa, was by his side. Charlie was 81.

Also known as Charles W. MacLeod, Charlie grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts, near Boston, and graduated from Haverhill High where his father was the principal. After high school, he joined the U.S. Military West Point Band and performed for President Truman’s second inauguration in 1949. He attended Eastman School of Music where he performed and recorded with both the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra and the famed Eastman Wind Ensemble.

Formative experiences for Charlie as a young musician included playing in the Marlboro Music Festival alongside Harold Wright (considered by Charlie to be the finest clarinetist of his generation), and studying conducting with Pierre Monteux (at L’Ecole Monteux). After Eastman, he earned a master’s degree from Boston University in education, and another graduate degree from California State University at Northridge in music. He co-founded and played in the Ventura County Symphony, founded and conducted the Ventura County Wind and Percussion Group, and was principal clarinetist with the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra before moving to San Diego County to join the music faculty at Grossmont Community College in 1966. During his 12 years at Grossmont, Charlie taught a wide range of music courses and ensembles while also conducting youth orchestras and summer musicals. In 1967, Charlie was appointed principal clarinetist of the San Diego Symphony and Opera Orchestras, a position he held with the Opera Orchestra until his retirement from orchestral playing in 1999. During most of these years, he also conducted the California Ballet Orchestra in its annual performance of the Nutcracker, in addition to other occasional ballets.

In retirement, Charlie renewed his birding skills, took poetry classes, marched for peace, spent more time with friends and family, and continued doing what he most loved – performing, teaching, and arranging music for the clarinet. In 1999, he co-founded the San Diego Clarinet Society to create opportunities for local clarinetists to perform with one another, and to educate and encourage the next generation of musicians.

In addition to his wife, Charlie is survived by three children and two grandchildren. A memorial service honoring Charlie's life will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego at 4190 Front Street in Mission Hills on Saturday, December 3, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Charles Ellis-MacLeod Private Study Scholarship Fund with the San Diego Clarinet Society (for info, please call 858 442-4610) or to Habitat for Humanity.