Norman L. Crarey

1955 -

Norman Crarey, a multitalented musician, has directed choirs in the public school system for over thirty years. From 2006 to 2007, he also served as an associate professor at Oakwood College, now University, where he directed its famous choir, the Aeolians.

Crarey was born in Washington, D.C., and attended public elementary and high schools in the U.S. and Jamaica. He received a B.S. in music education from Columbia Union College, now Washington Adventist University, in 1977 and an M.Mus. in choral conducting from Wayne State University in 1987.

He started his teaching career in the Detroit public school system in 1980. In 1988 he accepted a position in the Montgomery County School System, where he taught music and directed five choruses at Ridgeview Middle School for the next ten years and served as drama director, producing one play and one musical each year. The Ridgeview Concert Chorus under Crarey's direction consistently received excellent and superior ratings at district and state competitions.

In 1998 he assumed direction of four choirs at the Montgomery County Damascus High School and also taught guitar and music theory and assisted in spring musical productions. Following eight years at DH, he was invited to become Director of Choral Activities and associate professor in music education at Oakwood College, a position he held for one year.

In 2007 he returned to public school teaching, becoming choral director at Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he taught for two years before going to Muscle Shoals in northern Alabama to teach at its high school, a position he now holds.

Crarey has also served as a church musician for over thirty years. He has been an adjudicator and clinician and has published sight-singing materials.

ds/2012

Sources: Biography and listings of education and positions at Muscle Shoals website (2012); Oakwood University Announcement, Autumn 2006. Ancestory.com.