Needham is past president of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association
Craig Needham is the new assistant director of fine arts – performing arts for the ɫһ.
Needham was the director of orchestras at Richardson Berkner High School for 16 years and has spent the last three years as the orchestra director at McKinney Boyd High School. Needham is the past president of the and past Orchestra Division Vice-President for the . He’s now the president-elect of that organization.
“His history of service is huge and is central to how he is wired – a factor that is echoed by everyone I have talked to,” said Dr. Christopher Anderson, the ɫһ director of fine arts. “He is an incredible fit for the district.”
Needham has also served as a TMEA Region Chair and UIL Sight Reading Committee Chair and as a member of the TMEA Honor Orchestra Committee, the UIL Music Advisory Committee and the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee.
Under Needham’s direction, his orchestras have achievements at the highest levels including being named the 2006-2007 TMEA String Honor Orchestra. In 2016, his full orchestra students received the coveted invitation to perform at Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, including a collaboration with the Canadian Brass.
Needham is taking over for Joe Munoz, who left the ɫһ to become the executive director of the Texas Music Educators Association.