Following a distinguished 33 year teaching career, Professor Paula A. Crider continues to share her passion for making music through an active schedule as guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator. She has enjoyed engagements in 47 states, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom,France, Italy and Australia. She is Professor Emerita at The University of Texas where she was twice awarded the “Eyes of Texas “ Award for distinguished teaching.

Professor Crider has taught in the public schools at all levels, and holds the unique distinction of having been the first female in the state of Texas to serve as director of bands at a class 5-A high school. Her Crockett High School Bands in Austin, Texas earned twelve consecutive University Interscholastic League “Sweepstakes Awards” for musical excellence, received national recognition on the concert stage, and were twice named Texas 5A State Marching Champions. Ms. Crider was the recipient of the National Band Associationʼs “Citation of Excellence,” Presented by Dr. William J. Revelli for her bandʼs performance at the NBA National Convention.

During her tenure at The University of Texas, Professor Crider conducted the Symphony Band, the Longhorn Marching and Concert Bands, and served as instructor for undergraduate conducting, Brass Methods, Graduate Wind Literature, supervised student teachers and served as administrator for the Longhorn Music Camps. Highly acclaimed for its musical and marching excellence, the 380 member Longhorn Bands enjoyed national acclaim under her leadership. She has also served as Interim Director of Bands at Columbus State University, and at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She continues to serve as visiting guest professor at universities throughout the country.

Prof. Crider has written numerous articles for The Instrumentalist, The Band Directorʼs Guide, and the National Band Association Journal. She has published manuals for Brass Techniques, Marching Band Methods and Instrumental Conducting, and is co-author for the Hal Leonard “Masterwor Studies” series, a text for high school bands.

She has presented professional teacher seminars throughout the United States, and continues to work with talented young students in Student Leadership Workshops. She serves as coordinator for the National Band Association Young Conductor/Mentor Program, and was recently appointed to the Conn/Selmer Educational Board. Prof. Crider is a Past President of the National Band Association, and is President of the American Bandmasterʼs Association.

Awards and honors include the Tau Beta Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi “Outstanding Service to Music Award,” the Sudler “Legion of Merit,” The Women Band Directorʼs International Rose, The Grainger Society Medal, and the Kappa Kappa Psi Bo Makvosky Memorial Award. In 2004, she was named the Texas Bandmasterʼs Association Bandmaster of the Year, and in 2010 she was presented with the Midwest International Medal of Honor. She considers her greatest honor, however, to be the privilege of working with all who share a passion for excellence in making music.