Clinician Detail

Paul Popiel - Biographical Information

Paul W. Popiel, professor of music, is the Director of Bands at the University of Kansas, only the seventh person to hold this position in the band's storied 125-year history. Dr. Popiel conducts the KU Wind Ensemble, directs the graduate program in wind conducting, and guides all aspects of the university band program. His previous appointments include the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Oklahoma State University. He also enjoyed several years teaching in the public schools of Texas and Michigan. His Carnegie Hall debut in 2013 was heralded by the New York Times: “The ensemble, conducted by Paul W. Popiel, performed with polish, assurance and copious spirit, eliciting a rousing ovation;” while New York’s Feast of Music said, “Give credit to Popiel, a strong advocate for new music, who went for broke, succeeding in showing us that there is, in fact, real, adventurous music being made over on the other side of the rainbow.” Popiel has lectured and performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Australia, Singapore, and Japan. He has several highly acclaimed performance and production credits for CDs on the Klavier, Naxos, Ecstatic, Summit, and Mark Custom labels. His latest recording project features works by Aaron Perrine, David Maslanka, and Kevin Walczyk. Under Popiel's leadership, the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall in 2013, for President Obama in 2015, at the Kansas Music Educators Association (2012 and 2015), the national convention of the College Band Directors National Association in 2017, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2018. The band's recent performances have been acclaimed by The New York Times, Gramophone, Feast of Music, Fanfare, and the American Record Guide. Popiel is a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.