A macrobiotic chocoholic, Paul Gunther is a study in contradiction. Having played percussion since age 7, he performed in a United States Army Band for two years and then was honorably discharged in 1969 as a conscientious objector. His most recent percussion teacher was Jack Moore, former Minnesota Orchestra principal timpani. Gunther worked as assistant librarian with his Minnesota Orchestra Librarian predecessors, John Tafoya and James Berdahl. His degree is in music theory and composition; his eyes are hazel, his hair salt- and-pepper; and his favorite book was voted greatest novel of the 20th century in England.

The Minnesota Orchestra Library staff, under Gunther’s supervision, ensures that the correct 100,000 pieces of sheet music each year are placed on the right music stands at the right time for the players onstage. Also, all performance data (more than 100 years’ worth) – titles, composer names, duration of pieces, places performed, artists’ and conductors’ names, publishing sources, and so on – must be filed correctly for posterity.

Gunther is a founding member and twice president of MOLA (Major Orchestra Librarians’ Association), an international organization of over 200 institutions and 400 individual members who are orchestra and performance librarians. He invites any interested visitor for a tour of the Minnesota Orchestra Library.