At ITEC 2025, Dr. Mary Ann Craig will receive her well-deserved ITEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Dr. Craig!!
A true trail blazer in our field, below are but a few of Dr. Craig’s achievements and “firsts”:
– First woman president of the International Tuba-Euphonium Association (2003-2005), Secretary (1997-2001), President Elect (2001-2003), President (2003-2005), and Past President (2005-2007)
– Past President, Pittsburgh Symphony Association
– Honored Professor, Moscow (Russia) State University of Culture and Arts
– Received the Alumni Achievement Award from Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music (2012)
– Founding member of the Colonial Tuba Quartet (1989-2000)
– Professor of Music at College of St. Rose in Albany, NY (1981-1996)
– Professor of Music at Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ (1996-2009)
– Endowed Tuba Chair of the Pittsburgh Symphony (2016)
– Received the Beacon Award from International Women’s Brass Conference (2022)
– Creator of the ITEA Focus on Women Award (2022) which recognizes women who perform and compose for low brass
– International guest conducting
– First woman to record a euphonium solo album (1990)
Words from her colleagues:
“Dr. Craig’s impact serving as the first woman President of the International Tuba Euphonium Association immediately resulted in visibility of female leadership and role model, providing inspiration and confidence for women who play the instrument. During her time as ITEA President she initiated and implemented a name change for the organization to be more inclusive of the instruments and gender.” – Dr. Deanna Swoboda (AZ State University)
“Mary Ann has been a huge role model for me and many others. Especially women players. The first woman euphonium players I heard were Mary Ann and Betty O’Hara. I have always felt that things were a little easier for me because of people like Mary Ann.” Dr. Gail Robertson (Indiana U and U of Central Arkansas)
“Mary Ann has accomplished a multitude of achievements that have produced dividends the world over. Each one leaves those in her wake enlightened by her music, her educational and community outreach, her winsome personality, her desire to connect through philanthropy, and in opening more avenues to celebrate other women’s achievements in her recently created ITEA Focus on Women Award.” – Jan Duga (USAF Band – retired)
“All of Mary Ann’s work would be notable enough, but it is even more remarkable given that she achieved it at a time when female tuba players were all but unheard of, nevertheless rising to the position of President of the ITEA, the first woman to do so. We live in an age when efforts are being made to encourage and support women in our field, but Mary Ann made her career despite having virtually no female role models. There is no question that she is now such a role model to a new generation of young players, and it is a position she clearly takes seriously, having established the ITEA Focus on Women Award.” Craig Knox (Pittsburgh Symphony)
Hear more from Dr. Craig:
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The Lifetime Achievement Awards were established by the Executive Committee of the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association (now the International Tuba/Euphonium Association) in 1991 as a way to honor those individuals who have made exceptional achievements in and/or service to the euphonium and tuba profession and the advancement of our instruments in the music world. Every two years, the Executive Committee and Board of Directors select awardees from among five categories: performance, pedagogy, scholarship, industry, and composition. Deserving individuals who do not fit into one of these categories may be considered from time to time upon written request by any member of ITEA with accompanying documentation as outlined below. Posthumous awards may be made as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors and without the normal nomination process.
