Ray Cramer

Ray E. Cramer was a member of the Indiana University School of Music faculty from the fall of 1969 through May 2005. Mr. Cramer was instrumental in the initial development stages of the National Concert Band Festival and has been an evaluator and clinician regularly since its debut in 1992. 2006 marks the second time he has conducted the Honor Band of America, having also conducted the band in 1995. That summer, the Honor Band of America was invited to perform at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensernbles and gave a concert tour of Europe under the baton of Mr. Cramer.

In 1982, Mr. Cramer was appointed Director of Bands at Indiana University. Under his leadership the Indiana University Wind Ensemble earned an international reputation for outstanding musical performances including the 1982 ABA Convention, Indianapolis, the 1984 joint American Bandmasters Association/Japan Bandmasters Association Convention, Tokyo; the 1988 MENC National Convention, Indianapolis; the 1991 National CBDNA Convention, Kansas City; the 1994 National MENC Convention, Cincinnati; the 1995 ABA Convention, Lawrence, Kansas, the 1997 National CBDNA Convention, Athens, Georgia; a 2000 spring tour to japan performing in six cities and the All Japan Band Clinic, the 2003 CBDNA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN plus numerous regional and state conventions and a December 2003 performance at The Midwest Clinic.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities a the Department Chair, Mr. Cramer taught graduate courses in wind conducting, history and literature. He also conducted the University Orchestra for seven years during the fall semester.

He is a member of ABA, CBDNA, NBA, WASBE MENC, IMEA, IBA, CIDA, and is affiliated with Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Be Mu. Mr. Cramer is a recipient of the Student Alumn Council Senior Faculty Award (1983), the Kappa Kapp Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award (1988), the CIDA Director of the Year Award (1988), the Phi Be Mu, International Assembly, Outstanding Bandma Award (1988), Kappa Kappa Psi Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award (1991), the Edwin Franko Goldman award (2002), the MENC Lowell Mason Fellow Medallion (2003) and was awarded a 2005 Midwe Medal of Honor. He is a past National President of the College Band Directors National Association American Bandmasters Association and has served president of the Indiana Bandmasters Association North Central Division of CBDNA and the Big Ten Directors Association. He is the current President of Midwest Clinic, an international band and other conventions held in Chicago each December Mr. Cramer is actively involved in dinics and guest conducting engagements nationally and internationally.