2010-2011 TODA Board of Directors

Craig Needham has been involved with orchestral music since he held his first cello at the age of nine.  A two-time All-State orchestra member and graduate of Caprock HS in Amarillo, Mr. Needham went on to graduate with honors from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors in Music Education.

After student teaching with Sharon Veazey in Denton, Mr. Needham went on to teach at Westwood JH in Richardson, Clark HS in Plano, Amarillo HS, and currently as the Head Orchestra Director at Berkner HS.  An avid performer, he has performed with 9 different professional symphony orchestras, most recently as a member of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra.  As a chamber musician, he has been associated with the Vienna Conspiracy String Quartet for 15 years.  In the summer Craig teaches at the Texas Tech Band and Orchestra camp.

While in the Dallas area, Mr. Needham has served as the assistant conductor for the New Conservatory of Dallas.  His groups have consistently won top honors at UIL contest, the Myerson Orchestra Festival, Sandy Lake Orchestra Festival, Greater Southwest Music Festival, and at numerous other festivals.  The AHS “Sandie Orchestra” was recognized as the Grand Champion orchestra at Musicfest Orlando and in 2004, they toured Hawaii.  The Berkner HS Symphony Orchestra was recently named the TMEA High School String Honor Orchestra for 2006-2007.

In 2003 Mr. Needham was awarded the Marjorie Keller Young Teacher Award, given to him by the Texas chapter of the American String Teachers Association.  He has served in leadership capacities as TMEA Region Chair, UIL Sight Reading committee, president of the Amarillo Youth Symphony board, TMEA Honor Orchestra Committee, and the UIL Music Advisory Committee.  Craig is a member of TMEA, TODA, and TMAA.  When he is not teaching, he enjoys playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Susan, and his two daughters, Kayla and Sydney.