PYS - Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras

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Last edited: 06/20/2008

The Percussion Ensemble

Membership Fee: $375 - $430
(percussionists are assigned to a specific ensemble and pay those fees)

Conducted by: Thomas Murphy

Thomas Murphy The Percussion Ensemble performs on each PYS concert. The Ensemble, made of members of all the PYS groups, practices together each week after the ensemble rehearsals. They gain experience on a variety of percussion instruments. The group exposes young percussionists to a variety of styles of music and strives to prepare these musicians for any musical challenges they may face.Thomas Murphy is a percussionist and music educator in the Phoenix area. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam, and a Master’s in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University. During his career, Thomas has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, Mesa Symphony, Sonoran Desert Chorale, Arizona Musicfest, and The Chamber Orchestra of Northern New York.

Thomas has directed percussion ensembles and taught percussion lessons at the middle school through college level. He has given Latin Percussion clinics to music teachers throughout New York State with the aim of bringing Latin music into the classroom. Since relocating in Phoenix, he has been a teaching assistant at Arizona State University, adjunct faculty member at Mesa Community College and has adjudicated percussion for the Arizona All State Festival. He teaches music in the Higley Unified School District. In addition to teaching, he also served for three years as the Chapter President of the Arizona Percussive Arts Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding percussion education in Arizona. Currently in his sixth year as Percussion Director with The Phoenix Symphony Guild, Thomas strives to prepare percussionists to be well-rounded musicians that are up to any challenge.

PhoenixYouthSymphony.org
home mission newsletters schedule auditions policies orchestras event photos young musicians competition music memory dress code PYS alumni fund raising links Support PYS instruments for sale how to contact us	Last edited: 06/20/2008 The Percussion Ensemble Membership Fee: $375 - $430 (percussionists are assigned to a specific ensemble and pay those fees) Conducted by: Thomas Murphy The Percussion Ensemble performs on each PYS concert. The Ensemble, made of members of all the PYS groups, practices together each week after the ensemble rehearsals. They gain experience on a variety of percussion instruments. The group exposes young percussionists to a variety of styles of music and strives to prepare these musicians for any musical challenges they may face.Thomas Murphy is a percussionist and music educator in the Phoenix area. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam, and a Master’s in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University. During his career, Thomas has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, Mesa Symphony, Sonoran Desert Chorale, Arizona Musicfest, and The Chamber Orchestra of Northern New York. Thomas has directed percussion ensembles and taught percussion lessons at the middle school through college level. He has given Latin Percussion clinics to music teachers throughout New York State with the aim of bringing Latin music into the classroom. Since relocating in Phoenix, he has been a teaching assistant at Arizona State University, adjunct faculty member at Mesa Community College and has adjudicated percussion for the Arizona All State Festival. He teaches music in the Higley Unified School District. In addition to teaching, he also served for three years as the Chapter President of the Arizona Percussive Arts Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding percussion education in Arizona. Currently in his sixth year as Percussion Director with The Phoenix Symphony Guild, Thomas strives to prepare percussionists to be well-rounded musicians that are up to any challenge.



Information contained on this web site should not be construed to be either the definitive, or latest, information regarding PYS; (We will attempt to keep the web site current!) The PYS Handbook is the official document concerning PYS, weekly newsletters will contain the most up-to-date information regarding PYS events and concerts.