Thomas
Wilson is currently Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs,
Associate Conductor of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Cover Conductor for
the New York-based pops show Symphonic Night at the Oscars, serves on the
music faculties at Colorado College and the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and
maintains an active guest conducting schedule.
Mr. Wilson previously conducted for the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony
program and founded the Young Concert Artists of Colorado Springs.
Thomas
began studying piano at the age of four.
Later studies included trumpet, percussion, string bass and voice, before
concentrating his efforts on trumpet, conducting and composition.
Thomas graduated summa cum laude from the University of Northern
Colorado, receiving the School of Music’s highest honor—the Departmental
Scholar Award.
A
primary focus of Mr. Wilson’s conducting career has been collaborations
between performing arts organizations, which he sees as essential to artistic
growth and a unified arts community.
Thomas has led the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Chamber
Orchestra of the Springs in collaborative performances with the Colorado Springs
Children’s Chorale, Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble, Young Concert Artists,
Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, Pikes Peak Ringers, The United States Army
Field Band, Ballet Society of Colorado Springs, Peak Ballet Theatre, Fusion
Pointe Dance Company, Ormao Dance Company, and the Colorado Springs
Conservatory, just to name a few.
Thomas frequently conducts new works by local composers, including the
world premier of Mark Arnest’s Pike’s Dream, about the life and times of Zebulon Pike.
Thomas’ recent recording projects include the world premier recording
of Kevin McChesney’s Ring of Fire and a live, 2-CD release of the Flying W Wranglers with
the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.
Winner
of international recognition as a trumpeter, Mr. Wilson has extensive experience
performing and recording with orchestras, ensembles, and artists.
He is one of only three trumpeters ever selected as a finalist for both
the International Trumpet Guild Orchestral and Solo Performance Competitions in
the same year. As
a composer and arranger, Thomas has dozens of published titles and is currently
arranging new artist features and a Big Band jazz program for the Philharmonic.
Mr.
Wilson has been called “someone to watch” and “a very exciting
conductor” by Michael Tilson Thomas, one of the foremost conductors of our
time.