The West Islip Symphony Orchestra

Paul Little

West Islip Symphony Conductor

Paul Little first conducted the West Islip Symphony in 2013 and has been the orchestra’s permanent conductor and Music Director since 2018.

A graduate of the Crane School of Music, Mr. Little earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2003, and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Music Technology from Five Towns College in 2007. While at Crane, under the mentorship of Timothy Topolewski, Paul honed his conducting skills, while immersing himself in varied musical experiences beyond classical music, including studying jazz improvisation and performing in El Norte Tropicale, the Crane Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Mr. Little's guest conducting appearances include the Valley Stream Central High School District's All-District Orchestra, the NMEA All-County String Orchestra, the Rockaway-Five Towns Symphony Orchestra, and the Island Symphony Orchestra. He has served as a guest clinician in the Baldwin School District.

Before becoming a conductor, Mr. Little served as the concertmaster for the Island Symphony Orchestra, the Northport Symphony Orchestra, the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra, and the West Islip Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Little is a strong believer in using his talents and abilities in music to help others reach their goals. Beyond his conducting and performance commitments, Mr. Little was the Vice President of the Legato Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting classical music on Long Island. The Legato Foundation was a driving force in facilitating numerous house concerts and recitals for local musicians, and contributing to the founding of the Long Island Guitar Orchestra. He also serves as a judge for the Teeny Awards, helping to promote and celebrate high school theater in the Town of Islip.

In recognition of his contributions to the community, Mr. Little was honored with the 2015 Town of Islip Black History Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. Little is a private teacher of violin, viola, and cello. He has taught in the North Babylon and Valley Stream School Districts. He has served as a substitute music teacher at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, where he assisted in creating an electronic music curriculum, incorporating the use of DAW software in the classroom.