Gary Grant, PhD

Dr. Gary S. Grant is a Professor of Music in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Pennsylvania Western University. He joined Edinboro University in 1993 and served as Director of Bands and Chair of the Music Department for 17 years. His career spans more than four decades as a music educator, conductor, clinician, adjudicator, performer, and academic administrator.

Dr. Grant earned a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master’s degree in conducting and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Before joining Edinboro, he taught high school band in Illinois and served as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Missouri.

At PennWest Edinboro, Dr. Grant has taught a broad range of music courses, including music foundations and appreciation (Fundamentals of Music, Comprehensive Musicianship, Introduction to Music, World Music, and Music for the Young Child); popular and historical music (Jazz, Pop & Rock, Jazz: History/Form/Analysis, Country Music, Music in the Media, and Music of the British Isles); and music education and performance (Basic Conducting, Instrumental and Choral Conducting, Instrumental Arranging, Brass Methods, Elementary and Secondary Music Methods, Applied Trumpet, and Applied French Horn). He has directed numerous ensembles, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and Marching Band.

He has also taught education courses including Language, Music, and Movement in the Classroom; Creative Expressive Arts; and Field Experience, and has supervised student teaching in Music Education and Early Childhood Education. In addition, he has taught numerous honors music courses and a First-Year Seminar. He has developed and taught numerous online and multimodal courses and holds certifications in Teaching Online Master Class and Quality Matters.

Dr. Grant played a major role in the planning and design of the William P. Alexander Music Center and Cole Auditorium Rehearsal Hall, as well as the renovation of Cole Memorial Hall. He organized fundraising efforts to provide pianos for the Music Center and Cole Auditorium and helped secure substantial additional funding for music ensembles, Pipes and Drums, technology, facilities, and student scholarships. He also served on numerous university committees, including Faculty Senate, Middle States, IT, Academic Computing, and major campus planning initiatives.

He founded the EUP Jazz Clinic, Concert Band Clinic, and Mini-Band Camp and helped establish the Nu Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Dr. Grant advised student chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha for many years.  He has hosted PMEA All-State and District Honor ensembles, festivals, workshops, and in-service events and has served as a clinician, guest conductor, adjudicator, and presenter throughout Pennsylvania and in numerous locations across the United States and Canada. His ensembles have performed at venues including the Pennsylvania State Capitol and at the Buffalo Bills NFL stadium.

Travel and international experiences have been an important part of Dr. Grant’s career. He co-coordinated the Scotland Study Abroad Program and traveled to Scotland four times while teaching Music of the British Isles. He has also participated in music festivals and professional activities in Canada, Hawaii, and throughout the continental United States.

Dr. Grant’s contributions have been recognized with the Edinboro University Advisor of the Year Award, multiple Faculty/Educator of the Year finalist honors, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Orpheus Award, and recognition in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He has also received two sabbaticals and numerous grants supporting teaching, research, technology, and professional development.

Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Grant and his talented and supportive wife live in Edinboro, where they raised their three remarkable children. Outside of music, he enjoys traveling, learning foreign languages, carpentry, racket sports, gardening, dog agility, and hiking. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wonderful family, especially his grandchildren and beloved dogs.