John F. Paul, DM, an educator, musician and composer with more than 30 years of teaching experience and nearly 25 years as a department chair will serve as the interim director of the NIU School of Music.
Andrew Glendening, who has been Director of the School of Music since 2019, is currently serving as interim dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Paul to the School of Music. He brings a wealth of experience as an administrator and a broad perspective of music as a composer and educator. I am sure that we will all benefit from his thoughtful leadership.”
Paul retired as chair of the Department of Music at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, a position he served in from 2019-2024. He was chair of the Department of Music at Pacific Lutheran College in Tacoma, Washington from 2014-2018, and chair of the Department of Music at Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, Oregon from 2001-2014. He has also served on the faculty at the University of Portland (Oregon), Indiana University in Bloomington and the University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to his experience as an administrator and professor, Paul has served on the Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and as a visiting evaluator.
As a composer, he has credits in both traditional and contemporary music, including video game music and sound designs on projects Wayne Gretzky’s 3-D Hockey. He has many instrumental compositions, choral works and electronic works to his credit.
Paul earned his bachelor of music in theory/composition from the University of Texas at Austin, and his master of music in composition and doctor of music in composition both from Indiana University.
