Paul Collaer was a musicologist, pianist, and conductor who, through concerts and radio broadcasts, played an important role in the popularization of 20th century music in Belgium. He was also an early proponent of period instrument practice and dedicated his last years to ethnomusicology.

Third president of the ISCM. Member of the international jury for WMDs 1935, 1937 and 1939. Conductor at WMD 1946.