Józef Świder (born 19 August 1930 in Czechowice-Dziedzice, died 22 May 2014 in Katowice[1]) was a Polish composer and music teacher.

He graduated from the Academy of Music in Katowice (formerly PWSM – today Akademia Muzyczna), then continued his studies with Goffredo Petrassi at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.

Among his pupils were the Polish composers Aleksander Lasoń, Julian Gembalski, Andrzej Dziadek and Wiesław Cieńciała.

[2] Professor at the University of Silesia (Uniwersytet Śląski) where, from 1985 until 1999, he managed the Institute for Music Education.

Józef Świder was the recipient of many awards, among them the Prize of Poland’s Prime Minister for his works for children.