Thomas Trimborn
Thomas
Trimborn
was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has over thirty years teaching
experience in Illinois (Director of Bands – Palatine High School 1968-85),
Indiana (Director of Bands and Music Education – Valparaiso University 1985-93)
and currently at Truman State University (1993 – ). He holds degrees in
Music Education and Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
(B.F.A. & M.M.) and in Music Education from
Northwestern University - Evanston, Illinois (Ph.D.) where his advisor was
Bennett Reimer. In addition he studied conducting at Tangelwood with Erich
Leinsdorf and the Boston Symphony Orchestra and at the graduate level at Vander
Cook College of Music. He has conducted many concerts, clinics, camps, festivals
and services including performances at Mt. Rushmore, and the Kennedy Center. Of
special note were his internationally televised performances of Aaron Copland’s
Lincoln Portrait with narrator William Warfield at Robert Schuller’s
Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, and as conductor for Adolph
Herseth (retired) principal trumpet in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a rare
guest solo appearance. He is currently the Director of the graduate Master of
Arts in Music Education (MAE) degree program at
Truman State University
in Kirksville, Missouri where his duties include supervising student interns and
serving as their research project advisor. Also, Director of Bands Dan Peterson
generously shares the podium to allow Dr. Trimborn ongoing conducting
appearances with the Truman State University Wind Symphonies.
Dr. Trimborn served as the Director of Instrumental Music at Ascension Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1963- 78), and assisted with the choral program under Raymond Dietrich, Minister of Music. The Ascension Brass Choir under his direction performed annually as a part its widely known Christmas Candlelight Concerts, Easter Services, and for special events such as those presented by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) with Sister Theophane Hytrk, chair of the Alverno College music department.
Numerous articles written and illustrated by Dr. Trimborn have appeared in the Music Educators Journal, The Instrumentalist, the Band Directors Guide (BDGuide), the European Music Educators Association Journal and the Missouri School Music Magazine (MMEA). His series of graphic portraits and written biographies entitled Band Pioneers and Jazz Pioneers-The Band Leaders have both been published by the Village Press and the original art is on permanent exhibit at the United States Air Force Academy Band of the Rockies rehearsal facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since 1994, he has provided the cover art for over forty issues of the Missouri School Music Magazine.
A life-long interest in Abraham Lincoln has led him to create a series of Lincoln portraits with reproductions being available in Springfield, Illinois. His book entitled, Encounters With Lincoln: Images and Words, published by the Truman State University Press in November 2005, is available at bookstores nationwide. In addition he often presents a program entitled Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War adaptable for all types of audiences.
Dr. Trimborn is a life member and past Illinois state chair of the National Band Association (NBA), has served on the Editorial Committee for the Music Educators Journal and the Indiana Music Educator’s Executive Board, is a member of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), and the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA). He is also currently Truman chapter President of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.
Courses taught by Dr. Trimborn at Truman State University include: Conducting; Management of Instruction; and Perspectives in Music-Hollywood and Broadway.
Contact Dr. Trimborn at: trimborn@truman.edu
To learn about Truman State University and its programs visit: www.truman.edu
Recent book signings & exhibits.
Photo Gallery
Row 1: Mt. Rushmore, July 4th concert
Row 2: Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California
Row 3: Ascension Lutheran, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Candlelight Concert ;
Adolph Herseth in concert
Row 4: Palatine High School Band - Parade, Field, Winnipeg Concert
Row 5: Conducting photos at Truman and with: William Schrickel; Tim McGlynn (Kennedy Center)
Row 6: Yesterday and Today
Row 7: Valparaiso University Herald Trumpets; Christmas Concert
Row 8: William Warfield; Illinois
Row 9: William Warfield; Indiana/California
Row 10: Conducting at Truman; sharing a bow with Dan Peterson
Page last updated: 07/19/2008
Webmaster: Sarah Trimborn