Dr. Randall “Randy” S. Paul passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 19, 2018. Dr. Paul, director of the School of Music at Wright State University, was a respected performer, scholar, conductor and longtime educator.
Dr. Paul studied at Jacksonville State University, Ithaca College and the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, and received his Doctorate in Clarinet Performance from the University of Oklahoma. From 1983-1988 he served as adjunct professor of clarinet, was promoted in 1988 to professor of clarinet and was appointed director of the WSU School of Music in 2011.
He leaves a legacy of inspired teaching for hundreds of his beloved students. Randy was a kind, compassionate, selfless colleague and his leadership will serve as an inspiration for years to come. All who knew him will miss his sense of humor, his positive outlook and, perhaps most of all, his exuberant laughter.
He served as the Ohio chairperson for the International Clarinet Association (ICA) and appeared frequently at the Ohio Music Educator’s Convention as a performer and clinician. He authored many articles and appeared often in The Clarinet, the official publication of the ICA. His book, Successful Strategies for Clarinet Reed Making-Including a Step-by-Step Process, was published in 2010, and he was an artist/clinician for the Selmer Instrument Company. He also served as director and host of the Aeolian Chamber Music Series at the Hayner Cultural Center in Troy, Ohio.
A renowned performer, he was soloist and conductor at the International Clarinet Association Convention, the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium, the International Flute Association Convention, and the World Saxophone Congress, and performed on several nationally distributed recordings. In 2006, he performed the United States premier of Stephen Chatman’s clarinet concerto Prairie Dawn.
His performances took him as far as the Virgin Islands, Canada, Korea, China and Japan. He performed at numerous prestigious venues, including the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Lincoln Center Bruno Walter Auditorium. His debut performance at Carnegie Hall received critical acclaim in the New York Times.
Dr. Paul had more than 20 years of professional regional orchestra experience performing as guest principal clarinetist with the Utica Philharmonic (N.Y.), Dayton Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony, Dayton Ballet Orchestra, Dayton Opera Orchestra, Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and Richmond (Ind.) Symphony. He served as guest conductor for the Cincinnati Civic Orchestra and Miami Valley Junior Winds and guest conducted the Cimmeron Circuit Opera Company with members of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. In 2006-2007 he was the conductor and music director for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra.
He was preceded in death by his mother Trudi Paul; half-brothers Brayton O. Paul and William Paul. He is survived by his adoring wife of 32 years, Nora; his father Brayton B. Paul (99 years of age) and wife Jean; sister Joy Singletary and husband Joe; niece Megan Rimkus and husband Ben; step-brother Russell Montgomery and wife Michelle; and half-sister Donna Davis.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sept. 8, 2018, at 3 p.m. with a Gathering of Friends and Family beginning at 1 p.m. in Schuster Hall at the Wright State Creative Arts Center.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that contributions be made to the Randall S. Paul Music Scholarship Fund, which will benefit students at the WSU School of Music. Donations can be made online or by check (payable to Wright State University Foundation and mailed to Attn: Sara Woodhull, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, Ohio 45459-0001). Contact Sara Woodhull at the Wright State Foundation (937-775-4921) for more information. Tobias Funeral Home-Far Hills Chapel is in care of arrangements.
