“I am incredibly humbled by ARS’ trust in me, and am more impressed with their musicianship and sensitivity with each rehearsal.” — Thomas Lerew, DMA
Tom received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Arizona. He holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Music Education with an emphasis in piano from Houghton College. Past conducting opportunities include the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Green Valley Community Chorus, and the Christ Church United Methodist Chancel Choir, Tucson. He also serves on the board of the Arizona chapter of the American Choral Directors Association as the editor of its official publication, Antiphon. Tom’s primary conducting professors include UA Fred Fox School of Music Faculty, Bruce Chamberlain, Director of Choral Activities and Elizabeth Schauer, Associate Director of Choral Activities. Prior conducting professors include John Warren (Syracuse University) and Brandon Johnson (Houghton College).
Tom taught music at the high school level in New York and Pennsylvania, and continues his passion for teaching music literacy in the choral rehearsal setting, creating new administrative and outreach initiatives for promoting the choral music art form. He is a proud native of south central Pennsylvania and his family’s apple orchards, and lives in Tucson, Arizona with his bride, Kerry.
During this year of transition, singers and audiences alike have been thrilled to experience the musical leadership, programming creativity, wisdom, and personal compassion Tom has brought to ARS. We are grateful for our year together; while we will miss Tom (and his wife, Kerry!), we are heartened to know that as he concludes his doctoral degree at the U of A he will be pursuing his dream of teaching and conducting college students somewhere beyond Tucson. We know that future students and choral singers will also be similarly blessed by his passion for artistic excellence.
Learn more about Tom at www.thomaslerew.com