André Jerome Thomas (born August 15, 1952) is an American composer and conductor whose work has significantly impacted the world of choral music. He has served as a professor of music at the College of Music at Florida State University and as the artistic director for the Tallahassee Community Chorus.
Early Life and Education
Thomas grew up in Wichita, Kansas, with his two sisters and mother. His mother cleaned buses for Continental Trailways and sang in church. Thomas explored both choral and instrumental music early on.
During his elementary school years, he sporadically took piano lessons from various members of his church. Upon entering junior high school, Thomas decided to pursue piano formally, taking lessons at Wichita State University. By eighth grade, he won the Federated Music Clubs Piano Competition.
During this time, Thomas participated in his junior high school’s choir and began disliking spiritual and gospel music which he has since become known for composing. As a young black man, I really didn’t identify. This was not the black music that I knew, and it certainly wasn’t the music that I experienced at my church!
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While the discomfort may have continued throughout high school, it did not stop him from being actively involved in music and composition. At 16, Thomas accepted the role of Minister of Music at Tabernacle Baptist Church. He began arranging music to meet the needs of his choir. However, his time as a music minister was not easy. Many of the choir members balked at taking instructions from such a young person.
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Thomas earned degrees from Friends University (B.M. 1973), Northwestern University (M.M. in Piano Performance 1976), and University of Illinois (D.M.A. 1983).
During his time at Friends University, Thomas sang under the direction of Jester Hairston. Hairston noticed Thomas's lack of enthusiasm for spiritual and gospel music and pulled Thomas aside to discuss this with him. After finishing his bachelor's degree at Friends University in Wichita, KS, Thomas began teaching at Brooks Junior High School in the Wichita Public School System. Additionally, he served as the Youth Music Minister at Canaan Baptist Church.
Two years later, Thomas left to pursue his master's degree in Chicago. While studying at Northwestern University, Thomas decided against a career as a concert pianist. Instead, he aspired to spend his time conducting and teaching because he did not enjoy the solitary nature of becoming a concert pianist.
Following his degree at Northwestern, Thomas returned to Wichita Public School System to teach at Coleman Junior High School before deciding to pursue his doctoral degree at the University of Illinois.
Career Highlights
Thomas began his professional career at the University of Texas in Austin (1981-1984) while finishing his doctoral degree. He then began his long career at Florida State University. He served as Director of Choral Activities, Professor of Choral Education, as well as Owen F.
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In addition to his collegiate teaching career, Thomas conducts various choral organizations throughout the United States and internationally. He founded and directed the Tallahassee Community Chorus from 1998 to 2019.
Musical Style and Compositions
Thomas's arrangements give each selection its own unique aural signature. This includes the earthiness of an African chant in "African Noel," to the full-bodied harmonies of "Deep River," from the simplicity of the spiritual "I Open My Mouth" to the rocking gospel of "Go Where I Send Thee." A change of pace was his romantic rendition of the traditional English folk song "Barbara Allen."
Thomas was also represented as a composer, and his original compositions were among the highlights of the evening. With "Hold Fast to Dreams," he created a lyrical melody that was as inspirational as the Langston Hughes poem it set. Thomas spoke of the transformative power of music when introducing the song that was his response to the Sept. 11 attacks, "I Dream a World," setting another Hughes poem.
Some of his notable works include:
- African Noel
- The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
- Hold Fast to Dreams
- I Dream a World
Based on a Liberian folk song, this rousing anthem, written by acclaimed African American choral composer Andre J. Thomas, has been covered by numerous choirs worldwide.
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Performances and Recognition
According to composer and conductor Andre Thomas, when choirs perform spirituals, they need to understand both the joy of the music and the pains of the slave trade. He led this year's VocalEssence "Witness" concert Friday night at Minneapolis' Orchestra Hall, where the St. Olaf Choir and the combined choruses from St. Paul Central High School, Minneapolis Washburn High School and Hastings High School joined the VocalEssence Chorus.
Thomas began with a deeply personal evocation of the slave trade, setting the music to come in context. His arrangements, and the performances he inspired, raised one's understanding and engagement with this music to a whole new level.
Particularly impressive were the joint high school choirs, admirably holding their own in this company. The final set brought together the massed choir, 400 voices strong, that sent the heart soaring, not just from sheer volume, but from the restrained beauty of the sound.
Influence and Publications
Thomas' influence ranges beyond conducting, as he is the author of various choral education editions. An active composer, he has been published by seven publishing companies.
- Way Over in Beulah Lan’: Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual.
- Keep Your Lamps!
Selected Compositions and Arrangements
Here's a glimpse at some of Andre Thomas's compositions and arrangements:
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| African Noel | A Christmas spiritual that includes congas and tambourine to highlight the rhythmic accents of this holiday classic. |
| The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy | Commissioned for the centennial performances of the St. Olaf Choir’s Christmas Festival. |
