Instrumental Music Teacher at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School
Greater Philadelphia Area
- Current
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- Instrumental Music Teacher at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School
- Marching Band and Jazz Band Adjudicator at Cavalcade of Bands
- Marching Band Adjudicator at United States Scholastic Band Association
- Private Music Lessons Instructor at Self-Employed
- Composer/Arranger at Self-Employed
- Past
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- High School Band Director at Lindenwold Public Schools
- Associate Director at Warren Junior Military Band
- Middle School Band Director at North Penn School District
- Music Educator at Muncy School District
- Education
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- Pennsylvania State University
- Recommended
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1 person has recommended Thomas J. - Connections
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45
connections
- Industry
- Primary/Secondary Education
- Websites
Thomas J. West’s Summary
I have taught in grades 3-12 in public schools in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I have taught band, choral, strings, and general music in all of these settings. My primary focus is secondary instrumental. I have designed, written, and instructed marching bands for over 15 years.
I have also taught and performed in jazz bands, choral groups, and contemporary a cappella groups. I have several compositions for concert band available and have successfully published one title with more to come. I am also an active adjudicator with USSBA and Cavalcade of Bands as well as an active private instructor.
I maintain an active website featuring music education articles, blogs, resources, and practice tips. In these articles, I combine traditional music teaching techniques with the latest research on neurology and mind mapping.
I have used technology throughout my career and am currently finding new applications for Finale, Sonar, Smart Music, and VOIP applications.
My goals are to share my music instructional knowledge with as wide an audience as possible
Thomas J. West’s Specialties:
technology integration, field show design, composition
Thomas J. West’s Experience
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Instrumental Music Teacher
Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School
(Primary/Secondary Education industry)
August 2008 — Present (6 months)
String and Woodwind classes in a unique school for the performing and fine arts.
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Marching Band and Jazz Band Adjudicator
Cavalcade of Bands
(Performing Arts industry)
January 2008 — Present (1 year 1 month)
Field Music and Visual Captions
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Marching Band Adjudicator
United States Scholastic Band Association
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Performing Arts industry)
September 2007 — Present (1 year 5 months)
Music Execution and Music Ensemble captions
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Private Music Lessons Instructor
Self-Employed
(Primary/Secondary Education industry)
September 2000 — Present (8 years 5 months)
I provide private lessons services for students of any age in my geographic area. I am capable of teaching any band, orchestral, or percussion instrument including piano.
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Composer/Arranger
Self-Employed
(Music industry)
August 1998 — Present (10 years 6 months)
I have a library of over 40 vocal arrangements for contemporary a cappella groups as well as 10 original works for concert band. I currently have one concert band piece published and am interested in commissioning new works, publishing more pieces, and serving as a guest conductor for festivals.
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High School Band Director
Lindenwold Public Schools
(Educational Institution; 51-200 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
July 2005 — June 2007 (2 years)
Taught concert band, marching band, jazz improvisation, music composition. Developed indoor guard and percussion programs and parents support organization.
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Associate Director
Warren Junior Military Band
(Performing Arts industry)
March 1995 — July 2005 (10 years 5 months)
Community youth band serving the Warren/Youngstown, Ohio area since 1929. I served as a marching basics instructor, visual caption head, field show co-designer, and coordinated students during free-time activities while on a yearly three-week tour of the Midwest US.
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Middle School Band Director
North Penn School District
(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
July 2004 — June 2005 (1 year)
7th and 8th grade concert band, 9th grade general music, pit orchestra, visual staff - North Penn HS Marching Knights
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Music Educator
Muncy School District
(Primary/Secondary Education industry)
July 1998 — June 2004 (6 years)
Taught all musical subjects grades 7-12 including concert band, marching band, jazz band, pep band, senior high chorus, junior high chorus, 7th and 8th grade general music. Designed all curricula and all marching band shows.
Thomas J. West’s Education
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Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor's, Music Education, 1991 — 1998
Dean's List
- Activities and Societies:
- Penn State Marching Blue Band, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, all concert and pep bands, The Dreamers of Phi Mu Alpha
Additional Information
Thomas J. West’s Websites:
Thomas J. West’s Interests:
music, marching band, drum corps, a cappella, education, reading, spirituality, star wars, composing, innovative ideas
Thomas J. West’s Groups:
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Music Educators National Conference, National Band Association, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, Penn State Alumni Association, Cadets Maroon and Gold Club
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Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia -
Penn State Blue Band -
Jazz Friends
Thomas J. West’s Honors:
Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps 1993, 1994
Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators 2004, 2005
Thomas J. West’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
