In Memoriam: Donald McInnes

Donald McInnes, USC Thornton Professor Emeritus of Strings, has died at the age of 85. 

McInnes thrived with a prolific career of performance, recording and teaching in the U.S. and abroad for decades, including years of instruction at the USC Thornton School of Music.

McInnes performed with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra and l’Orchestre National de France, among others. Collaborators included Leonard Bernstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Lynn Harrell and Yo-Yo Ma. As a recording artist, his work was preserved by Columbia, RCA, Deutsche Grammophon, Angel/EMI, and Laurel labels.

In a 2015 interview with Ovation Press, he spoke about his career as a concert violist and teacher: “I have always been passionate about sharing my experiences performing in a way that helps my students to grow. My life, both professional and personal, has been very good to me,” he said. “It is now time to “pass the torch” to the younger generation.”

Donald McInnes is survived by his husband, three children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren.

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Photo courtesy of the USC Thornton School of Music
Sources cited: The Strad, Los Angeles Times