Dr. Larry Snider is Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. He holds bachelors and master’s degrees from Illinois State University and The University of North Texas, respectively, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Snider has built a strong percussion program whose graduates consistently achieve professional success as performers and educators throughout the world. The program’s most visible and widely acclaimed component is The University of Akron Steel Drum Band, which enables students to gain valuable experience in teaching and playing ethnic music and Latin accessory instruments. Founded in 1980 by Dr. Snider as one of the nation’s first and foremost collegiate panorama-style ensembles, the Steel Drum Band performs locally and throughout the United States. All proceeds from sales of the band’s two CDs benefit a scholarship fund for students studying percussion at the University of Akron.

Dr. Snider also leads the PATHS program in which students form The University of Akron (UA) teach “at-risk” youngsters how to play steel drums. This innovative program reaches traditionally under-served youngsters, helps UA students gain valuable teaching skills, showcases the community’s musical diversity, and enriches the connection between campus and community.

Dr. Snider received the first-ever Outstanding Arts Educator Award presented by the Akron Area Art Alliance in fall 2001. During summer 2001, Dr Snider was invited to serve on the percussion faculty at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and in summer 2000 he was invited to Poland to serve on the performance and teaching faculty at the International Percussion Workshop Zagan and to serve as an adjudicator at the International Percussion Workshop in Zagan and to serve as an adjudicator at the International Marimba Competition in Warsaw.

More recently, Dr. Snider was invited to serve as the chief international adjudicator for the 2002 World Steelband Festival held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in October 2002. The festival drew steelbands from throughout the world.
An accomplished performer, Dr. Snider is Principal Percussionist with Akron Symphony Orchestra and has served as an adjunct percussionist with the Cleveland Orchestra.
 

• Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at The University of Akron in Ohio, USA, since 1977

• Director and Founder of the University of Akron Steel Drum Band, one of the oldest and largest collegiate panorama style Steelbands in the USA.

• Principal Percussionist with the Akron Symphony Orchestra For 26 years, and has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra.

• Named Arts Educator of the year for 2001 by the Akron Area Arts Alliance.

• Earned a doctoral degree in music from the University of Illinois, a master’s degree from the University of North Texas, and a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University.