Paul is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from The Ohio State University, a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of Arizona.
His teaching experience in instrumental music covers all levels from beginners to university graduate students. He directed bands and orchestras in the public schools. Dr. Droste joined the faculty of The Ohio State University School of Music in 1966 and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1992. He served as director of The Ohio State University Marching Band for fourteen seasons.
Dr. Droste is the founder and director of the Brass Band of Columbus, a British-style brass band formed in 1984. The Brass Band of Columbus has won several First Place Awards in the North American Brass Band Association Championships. He has served two terms as president of the NABBA. Dr. Droste is a Brass Band Clinician for Yamaha and is responsible for starting several new brass bands throughout the United States.
Dr. Droste was the first American to adjudicate at the annual contest of the New Zealand Brass Band Association. He received a research leave-of-absence from Ohio State to study brass bands and euphonium performance in England in the spring of 1984. He has recorded two albums of euphonium solos. In 1989, Dr. Droste was elected to membership in The American Bandmasters Association. He has received awards from the Salvation Army and several local music organizations.
He continues an active career as a private brass teacher, euphonium soloist and clinician, and brass band conductor and clinician. As the Education Director of Colonial Music, he recruits beginning students for school band programs.
