Contact: Margaret Kovar
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's Famous Maroon Band will celebrate its teachers and mentors with a series of events April 1-4 featuring Ray Cramer.
Emeritus Director of Bands/Wind Conductor at Indiana University, Cramer is the first guest in the new series "Legends and Mentors: Honoring Those Who Have Influenced Us."
"We are excited to have a conductor and teacher of Ray Cramer's status joining us for our new guest series," said Craig Aarhus, MSU associate director of bands.
During his time on campus, Cramer will work with the MSU concert bands, speak to students, conduct open rehearsals and teach classes. For a complete list of events, go to http://www.msuband.msstate.edu/. All events are free and open to the public.
Cramer taught at public schools throughout the Midwest before becoming a faculty member of the Indiana University School of Music from 1969-2005. In 1982, Cramer was appointed Director of Bands. Under his leadership the Indiana University Wind Ensemble earned an outstanding international reputation.
In addition to his administrative responsibilities as the Department of Bands/Wind Conducting Chair, Cramer taught graduate courses in wind conducting, history and literature. He also conducted the University Orchestra for seven years during his 36-year tenure.
Cramer has received numerous awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Bandmaster Award, the Edwin Franko Goldman Award, Bands of America Hall of Fame, and Lifetime Achievement Award. In December 2008 he also was named the prestigious "The Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts" honoree by the National Band Association.
Cramer teaches clinics and participates as a guest conductor nationally and internationally. He also is professor emeritus of the Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, Japan.
For more information, call the MSU band department at 662-325-2713.