Paul A Bro

Paul A Bro is a Professor of Music at the School of Music within the College of Arts & Sciences at Indiana State University. He previously served as Department Director (2014-2017) and Interim Director (2013-2014), demonstrating leadership in academic administration.

His educational credentials include a Doctor of Music (1992) and Master of Music (1981) in Saxophone Performance from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Iowa State University (1980). His doctoral dissertation examined saxophone manufacturing history.

Bro's research centers on saxophone performance practices, music education methodologies, and the historical development of American saxophone manufacturing. He has conducted extensive archival research on companies like Buescher, Conn, Holton, Martin, and H.N. White, bridging instrument history with performance practice. His creative work focuses on commissioning contemporary repertoire for saxophone ensembles.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals two dominant trends: scholarly presentations on saxophone manufacturing history (2022-2025) and recordings of contemporary classical works (2005-2020). His research outputs demonstrate consistent engagement with both historical musicology and modern performance practice, particularly through saxophone quartet repertoire and saxophone-cello collaborations.

Bro has secured significant research funding including $11,000 for the Augusta Read Thomas commission and multiple travel grants for conference presentations. His grant portfolio shows sustained support for new music creation and academic dissemination through organizations like the North American Saxophone Alliance.

As a performer, he was the alto saxophonist of the Chicago Saxophone Quartet (1982-2016) and co-founded the research website SaxAmE.org. His performance career spans collaborations with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, U.S. Navy Band, and international ensembles across five continents.