(1959– )
As a composer, Tom is perhaps best known to piano teachers for his solos Northern Lights and Whiskers and Fins, which were chosen for the 2001-2003 National Federation of Music Club's Junior Festival Bulletin. Besides numerous piano solos and collections such as KittenKaBoodle!, DogGoneIt!and The Boundless Land, Tom shares his musical expertise as the author of the Essential Dictionary of Music Notation and Essential Dictionary of Orchestration. He is one of the primary arrangers in 27 books for Alfred's Basic Piano Library's Top Hits, Greatest Hits and Patriotic Solos series.
As Alfred's Vice President of Production and Director of Keyboard Operations, Tom has the opportunity to combine his design and illustration talents with his experience as a composer and pianist. His outgoing personality also allows him to excel as a popular Alfred clinician, offering special insights into Alfred's latest publications.
After studying music in his native North Dakota, Tom graduated with honors from the University of Southern California, where he received a music degree in composition. He continued his education as a Charles Ditson Scholar at Yale University, receiving his masters of music degree in composition.
The recipient of two consecutive Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for best original theatrical music, Tom has also been awarded an ASCAP composition prize, two consecutive Rena Greenwald Awards, and a Jimmy McHugh Composition Prize. His recording experience includes a highly successful recording of original piano music entitled Dance Preludes for use in ballet instruction. For many years, he has worked extensively in the dance and theater fields, both as a pianist and composer.