Remembering Ron Snider (1947-2020)

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra mourns the loss of its long-time Assistant Principal Percussionist Ronald Snider. Snider passed away on Monday, November 23, and is survived by his wife Barbara Moser, his son Dorian Snider and his daughter Chelsea Snider.

“Ron’s collaborative spirit and love of music was evident in every interaction I had with him,” said Kim Noltemy, Ross Perot President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. “We will all miss Ron, and he has definitely left us too soon. We are honored to dedicate this weekend’s concerts to him.”

Ron Snider joined the DSO in 1970. He was one of the longest-serving members of the orchestra having celebrated a 50-year tenure during the 2019/20 season. He was a familiar face in the percussion section with many patrons recognizing him off the Meyerson stage.

Snider’s career was defined by his passion for world music and percussion instruments from all over the globe. He was well-known for his expertise on the cimbalom, a large hammered dulcimer from Hungary. Snider was a featured performer on the instrument on recordings of Zoltán Kodály’s Háry János with the DSO as well as the Milwaukee Symphony. His talent was center stage in a performance of the work during the 2018/19 season.

In 1990, Ron was a founding member of the world percussion group D’Drum. He and the group traveled the world studying music and instruments of all cultures. It was a trip to Bali and the music of the Balinese gamelan tradition that led to a commission by the DSO of a new concerto for the group in 2011.  Gamelan D’Drum by Stewart Copeland, legendary drummer of The Police, was premiered in Dallas with Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducting. The work was subsequently performed with orchestras in Cleveland, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. The premiere and travel for the work is documented in the film “Dare to Drum” produced and directed by fellow D’Drum member John Bryant. D’Drum also created the soundtrack for National Geographic’s Emmy Award-winning film Lions of Darkness, as well as the PBS series “Wishbone”.

Ron’s passion and talent were unparalleled, and his joy and spirit will be missed terribly.