Teaching: CPFA Instrumental Music (Winds and Strings), Jazz Studies, Electronic Music
At PALCS Since: 2008
Education: Bachelor of Science in Music Education – Pennsylvania State University, Master of Science in Music Education with a Modern Band Pedagogy Certificate – Lebanon Valley College
Brief Biography: Thomas J. West is an active music teacher, composer, adjudicator, and clinician in the greater Philadelphia area. He has over twenty-five years of experience as a concert band director, marching band director, jazz improvisation instructor, choral director, orchestra director, private instructor, arranger/composer, and marching drill writer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He served as a music adjudicator for Drum Corps International from 2016 to 2021. He has served as a music, visual, and jazz judge for the Cavalcade of Bands Association since 2008. He also performs as a freelance clarinetist, saxophonist, and vocalist. He is currently the music department chairperson, instrumental music teacher, jazz band instructor, electronic music instructor, and educational technology coach for Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School’s Center for Performing and Fine Arts. Tom has been pioneering techniques in Blended, Hybrid, and Online Learning for Music Education since 2008. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Penn State University and a master’s degree in Music Education with a Certificate in Modern Band Pedagogy from Lebanon Valley College. He was an Associate Director for the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio, from 1995 to 2005 and holds memberships in NAfME, PMEA, JEN, ASCAP, TIME, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
