Dr. Thomas McCauley

Dr. Thomas McCauley

Director of University Bands
John J. Cali School of Music / Montclair State University

  Biography

Thomas McCauley is currently the Director of University Bands in the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey where he conducts the Montclair State University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, and teaches both graduate and undergraduate conducting. He has held similar positions in the states of Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois in addition to teaching high school instrumental music in Nevada for nine years. Composers including Karel Husa, David Gillingham, Joseph Turrin, Bruce Yurko, Robert Aldridge, Morten Lauridsen and O’Neal Douglas have praised his work. In December of 2010, Dr. McCauley appeared as a clinician in Chicago at the 64th annual Midwest Clinic. Each November, he hosts and teaches a symposium at Montclair State University called the Weekend Wind Conducting Symposium with special guest clinicians and participants from around the world.

Dr. McCauley is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout North America. Ensembles under McCauley’s direction have appeared at national and regional conventions and conferences, and he has collaborated with artists including The Imani Winds, The Manhattan Brass Quintet, Warren Vache’, Demondrae Thurman, and Phil Smith.

Dr. McCauley has been published in The Instrumentalist magazine, several state music magazines, and in the second edition of Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Vol I published by G.I.A. publications. In 1995, the Nevada Music Educator’s Association named Dr. McCauley Music Educator of the Year and in 2006, the Indiana Music Educators Association honored Dr. McCauley with an Outstanding University Music Educator Award. Dr, McCauley’s book titled, Adventures in Band Building (or How to Turn a Less-Than-It-Could-Be into a More-Than-It-Should-Be) is published by G.I.A. Publications. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Band Association, the New Jersey State Representative of the College Band Directors National Association, and is the former New Jersey State Representative of the National Band Association. He is also an active member of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the National Association for Music Education.

  Session Titles

Adventures in Band Building: How to turn a less-than-it-could-be into a more-than-it-should-be

Teacher

This session is intended for band directors at all levels. It is based on my book of the same name, published in 2015 by GIA Publications. Topics include: Job Interviews You are the new Band Director...Now What? Competition Mental Resolve It's ALWAYS the Person on the Podium Smart Instrument Substitutions Student Recruitment and Retention


Elitism in the Trenches: Techniques for a more productive rehearsal

Teacher

This session is intended for band directors at all levels. Topics covered include: The First Ten Minutes, Division of Responsibility, Rehearsal Planning, Rehearsal Pacing, The Lesson Plan is in the Score


Score Study: The Great Equalizer

Teacher

This session is intended for band directors at all levels. It takes participants through three distinct levels of score study: Discovery - Imagination - Internalization.


The Selection, Programming, and Preparation of Repertoire

Teacher

This session is intended for band directors at all levels. Topic include: The Repertoire You Select is Important. Choose Wisely! Programming for the Process The Concert "Menu" "Selling" Your Choices Study and Preparation