Paul Gerlach

Artist Lecturer in Music Education

Bio

Having led Carnegie Mellon University’s legendary Kiltie Band, the university’s marching and concert ensemble for non-music majors, for nearly four decades, Paul Gerlach brings a unique and varied background to his position as artist-lecturer in music education. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon, he holds bachelor of fine arts degrees in applied music (trumpet) and music education, a master of fine arts degree in applied music (trumpet) and another master of fine arts degree in musicology (thesis topic: The Influence of Politics in Russian-Soviet Music.) He studied trumpet with Anthony L. Pasquarelli, conducting with Richard Strange, and musicology with Dr. Frederick Dorian.

As an instructor at Carnegie Mellon, Gerlach has taught courses in brass, woodwind, percussion and marching band techniques. Concurrently, he worked for 32 years in the public schools teaching instrumental music at the elementary, junior high and senior high levels, and general music in grades K-8. Gerlach devotes considerable time to conducting and adjudication. Conducting experiences include guest, rehearsal, and substitute assignments with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Honors Band, the Lock Haven University Symphonic Band, Three Rivers Community Band Festival, Carnegie Mellon Pre-college Wind Ensemble and Trumpet Ensembles, Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble, Carnegie Mellon University Youth Brass Band, and River City Youth Brass Band. He is music director emeritus of the Allegheny Brass Band.

Adjudication assignments include PMEA and West Virginia Bandmasters Association sanctioned festivals, along with Music in the Parks, High Notes, and Performance Arts Consultants events.

Professional affiliations are Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Mu, Pennsylvania Collegiate Bandmasters Association (past president), and the International Trumpet Guild. He has been honored with the Carnegie Mellon Alumni Award and has been inducted into the PMEA Hall of Fame.