William Bender was an American music critic, author, and educator whose career spanned several decades of influential classical music journalism. Born in 1930, Bender established himself as a prominent voice in music criticism, writing for major publications such as the New York Herald Tribune and the World Journal Tribune. He later served as the chief music critic for Time magazine from 1968 to 1978, a decade during which he covered significant developments in the classical music and opera worlds. He also contributed reviews to the American Record Guide.
Beyond his print journalism, Bender expanded his reach into television and book publishing. In 1970, he wrote an Emmy Award-winning documentary profile of the legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski, which was broadcast internationally on National Educational Television (NET) and the BBC. He also co-authored the 1974 book The Tenors, contributing a detailed profile of the life and career of the celebrated American operatic tenor Richard Tucker.
Alongside his writing career, Bender was dedicated to music education. He earned a Master of Music degree from Columbia University, where he subsequently joined the music faculty. His academic career also included teaching positions at Syracuse University and Bradley University, where he shared his expertise in music history and criticism with students. Bender passed away in 2014.
