Background
Caravan, Ronald L. was born on November 20, 1946 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Vincent R. and Isabelle Slater Caravan.
Caravan, Ronald L. was born on November 20, 1946 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Vincent R. and Isabelle Slater Caravan.
Bachelor of Science in music education, State University of New York, 1968. Master of Arts in music theory, Eastman School of Music, 1973. Doctor of Music in music education, Eastman School of Music, 1974.
He is a clarinetist, saxophonist, teacher, composer, and arranger. Most of Caravan"s teaching career has been with the faculty of the Setnor School of Music of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York (1980-2015) where he taught clarinet and saxophone and conducted the Syracuse University Saxophone Ensemble. He also earned the Performer"s Certificate on clarinet from the Eastman School (1974).
Some of his most noteworthy compositions for clarinet or saxophone use these extended techniques although several of his more conservative (and tonal) pieces for the single-reed instruments have gained wide popularity, especially his four sonatas for soprano (1984), baritone (1989), alto (2004), and tenor (2007) saxophones, which are based on traditional modes or variants thereof.
Caravan produces a line of saxophone mouthpieces generally based on the original mouthpiece design of Adolphe Sax, the instrument"s inventor. These are marketed under the name Caravan Mouthpieces, which also includes a symphonic clarinet mouthpiece.
In addition to performing solo and chamber-music recitals on both clarinet and saxophone throughout his career, he has performed regularly with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (more recently named Symphoria) on both clarinet and saxophone. His saxophone chamber experience includes the Aeolian Saxophone Quartet and Saxophone Sinfonia, including concerts at the 1979 World Saxophone Congress and at Alice Tully Hall (1982).
Member of New York Press Association.
Married Nancy Carol Nelsen, June 28, 1969. Children: Michelle, Adrienne, Lisa.