"The chamber works of David Bennett Thomas may be categorized as neo-Romantic, neo-tonal, or even as a kind of sophisticated "fusion classical," but these terms by themselves are inadequate to describe the complex mixtures of elements in his music. His strongest pieces reveal both modernist influences and contemporary applications, though blended to sound original and whole, not like self-concious parodies or pastiches. Thomas is shrewd enough not to wear his influences on his sleeve, and these presumed sources are reworked with jazz harmonies and influences in an idiosyncratic but distinctive post-modern approach." -All Media Guide

Biography:

David Bennett Thomas (b. 1969) received degrees from West Chester University (B.S.), and The Peabody Conservatory (M.M.). His private teachers include Lukas Foss, Ron Thomas, Jacques Voois, Michael Connell, and Donald Chittum.

Thomas has written in many genres, including works for solo voice, chorus, orchestra, chamber groups, and piano. His works have been performed throughout America and abroad, by groups such as The Gregg Smith Singers, The Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, rarescale, The New York Treble Singers, Relache, Naked Voices (Israel), Melomanie, The Mark Morris Dance Group Music Ensemble, Chicago Choral Artists, Dolce Suono, Singing City, pianists Matthew Bengtson and Charles Abramovic, soprano Rosalind Rees, cellist Jeffrey Solow, saxophonist Marshall Taylor, The Orchestral Society of Philadelphia, and many others. His music has also been performed at The Festival of the Hamptons, The Bethlehem Guitar Festival, and The New York Flute Club. Mr. Thomas has served as composer in residence at The Adirondack Festival of American Music.

Thomas has received grants from The American Composers Forum (Subito, Community Partners), The University of the Arts, and The Peabody Conservatory to support the recording of several of his compositions; which have been released on Capstone Records ("Chamber Works" CPS 8754; "Songs of Seasons" CPS 8791)), Arizona University Recordings ("A Tribute to Adolphe Sax, Vol. IX "), rarescale records ("rarescale plays David Bennett Thomas" rr003) and his first recording "The Music of David Bennett Thomas, Volume One." Thomas' music has been heard on WWFM's 'Divertimento' program, WVUD's 'Fine Tunings' program, WRTI's "Now Is The Time", as well as WBAR 87.9 FM, New York. His music has been published by Shawnee Press, and Tetractys Publications. Critics have refered to his music as "convincing on both structural and emotional levels...music that speaks with no pretension" (The Classical Source); "immediately engaging...playful, soulful, technically dazzling, and often acutely communicative (Philadelphia Music Makers); "honest and completely convincing" (The Daily Local); "concise and comprehensible, though he doesn't talk down to the listener or subscribe to any isms...this is a composer with an individual voice" (American Record Guide).

Recent commissions have come from The New York Treble Singers, The Chester County Pops Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association, The Chester County Choral Society, The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and The American Composers Forum "Community Partners" program. Future projects include performances and live broadcasts with the Israeli chorus "Naked Voices," in Jerusalem, Israel. He has also recently taught masterclasses in Santiago, Chile.

Thomas won the Philadelphia Young Composers competition, and the Morawetz Award in Composition. He is also the author of "A Conversation with Lukas Foss", which was published in 'The Journal of the Conductors Guild,' and subsequently published by Carl Fischer. Thomas teaches theory, composition, and piano at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and performs with his jazz group three nights a week at Sullivan's Steakhouse, in King of Prussia, PA.

Recent and Coming Performances:

 January 29, 2009: Naked Voices will perform "O Magnum Mysterium", and be broadcasted live on Kol Hamusica, Israel Broadcast Authority's Classical Music Channel, from the Henry Crowne Auditorium, Jerusalem Theatre, Jerusalem. 17:00. Listen live at http:/www.iba.org.il/media, and click on "Kol Hamusica".
February 8, 2009: SCAW (Sarah Watts, bass clarinet; and Antony Claire, piano), will play "Edifice" at their CD launch. The Space, London, evening concert.
February 15, 2009: Performance of "Bomb Bomb" for trombone and piano, by Jarred Antonacci, (trombone), at The Philadelphia Salon Series, in the home of Andrea Clearfield.
February 28; March 11, Performances of "Edifice" for bass clarinet and piano. Sarah Watts, bass clarinet; Antony Clare, piano. England.
March 3, 2009: Performance of "Bomb Bomb". Recital of trombonist Jarred Antonacci, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. Matthew Bengtson, piano.
March 7th and 8th, 2009: Chicago Choral Artists will perform "Chanting to Paradise," Donald Nally, conductor.
March 13, 2009: Jeffrey Solow will perform "Sonata for Solo Cello" as part of Bargemusic's "American Contemporary Music Series," which hosts concerts taking place on a floating barge near the Brooklyn Bridge. www.bargemusic.org.
April 10, 2009: premiere performance of "To Know Just How He Suffered Would Be Dear," for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, and cello. Wheatland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, PA. Also premieres of Matthew Monticchio and Ron Thomas.
April 20, 2009: performance of arrangement of Josef Zawinul's "In A Silent Way" for the Transfusion Ensemble (10-piece jazz ensemble). The University of the Arts, Philadelphia.
April 26, 2009: Premiere of "Contemplations: Five Vignettes on Anne Bradstreet" for soprano, flute, cello and piano; by the Essex Chamber Music Players. Northern Essex Community College Tech Center, 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts 01830. 2:30PM.
May 17, 2009: Performance of "Sonata for Solo Cello" for The Violoncello Society, Inc; at The Koscuisko Foundation. 15 E. 65th Street, NYC. Jeffrey Solow, cello.
May 25, 2009: Performance of "Edifice" for bass clarinet and piano, by SCAW (Sarah Watts, bass clarinet; Antony Clare, piano). North London, UK.
May 19, 2009: Performance of "WarSong" by soprano Jeanmarie Lally, mezzo soprano Sarah Rose Taylor, and pianist Chip Prince. St. Bartholomew's Church, Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Sts. New York City, 7:30PM. http://www.stbarts.org/greatmusic.asp
June 27, 2009: Premiere of "Whim" for solo flute, as part of the Dolce Suono's Metal and Wood Band concert, in collaboration with the Philadelphia chapter of The American Composers Forum. Mimi Stillman, flute. Philadelphia, PA.
August 4, 2009: Leah Kim will perform "Partita" for solo violin as part of the series of concerts at West Catholic High School; Philadelphia, PA. 7:30.
August 6, 2009: Jeffrey Solow will perform "Sonata for Cello Solo" at The Summit Music Festival. Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY. 6PM.
November 15, 2009: Performance and recording of "Contemplations: Five Songs on Anne Bradstreet" for soprano, flute, cello, and piano; by the Essex Chamber Music Players. North Parish Church, North Andover, MA.
December 8, 2009: Premiere of "Mass" for chorus, soloists, and organ. The University of the Arts Concert Choir, Jeffrey Kern, conductor. Philadelphia, PA.
January 10, 24, 31, 2010: Three performances of "Symphonic Variations on Chester." for full orchestra. The Chesco Pops Orchestra; Jacques Voois, conductor. January 10: Oxford Area High School, Oxford, PA. January 24th: Fugett Middle School, West Chester, PA. January 31 Phoenxville Area High School, Phoenixville, PA.
February 13, 2010: performance of "Chanting to Paradise" for SATB chorus, by Singing City, directed by Jeffrey Brillhart. The American Choral Director's Association.
February 13, 2010: performance of "O Magnum Mysterium" by Naked Voices; Tamir Chasson, director. Decameron Chamber Music Series, Tel Aviv, Israel.
February 23, 2010: Premiere of "Piano Sonata #4", in memory of Lukas Foss. Carl Cranmer, piano. The University of the Arts Composition Faculty Concert. Caplan Recital Hall in the Terra Building. Philadelphia, PA. 7PM.
February 27, 2010: performance of "WarSong" at the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt on E. 20th Street, New York City. Eleanor Clark, soprano; Linda Eckard, mezzo soprano; Elizabeth Rodgers, piano. 2PM. Sponsored by The American Landmarks Festival.
February 27, 2010: performance of "Chanting to Paradise" for SATB chorus, by Singing City, directed by Jeffrey Brillhart. Holy Trinity Church, Rittenhouse Square. Philadelphia, PA. 8PM.
February 28, 2010: performance of "Three Pieces for Clarinet and Piano" by Brian and Joshua Kovach. At the Clearfield February salon, Philadelphia PA.
March 13, 2010: performance of "O Magnum Mysterium" by Naked Voices; Tamir Chasson, director. Isaac Levine Foundation Memorial Concert. Dunie Weizman Conservatory. Haifa, Israel.
April 16 and April 18, 2010: Performances of "Symphonic Variations on Chester." The Florida State Orchestra. Jacques Voois, conductor.
May, 2010: premiere of "Dream Dust" for chorus and piano, on texts by Langston Hughes. The Brandywine Valley Chorale's concert "What Dreams May Come". Jason Throne, director.
Fall, 2010: Premiere of "Imagined Corners," for chorus, soloists, harp, and alto flute; by Naked Voices, Tamir Chasson, director. Jerusalem, Israel.
Fall 2010: premiere of "Paths" for alto flute and guitar by rarescale. Carla Rees, alto flute; David Black, guitar. London, UK. Date tba.