Tom Reese

A captivating performer, Tom’s strength’s are in his warm tone, melodic lines and whimsical riffs. His music has been heard on International radio stations all over the World. As a solo artist and musician he has opened or performed with Bela Fleck, Gaelic Storm, Grey Eye Glances, Valery Ponomarev & Nick Brignola and others. Tom currently lends his talents to several bands, including TRP (The Reese Project), MuZette, Susquehanna & Wyndfall. He and his wife, Laurie Haines Reese, are Certified Healthcare Musicians (CHM), going into retirement centers and playing for room-bound residents as well as concerts for groups of residents.

Composer: Tom's original music comes from the heart. His work features innovative instrumentation and modern harmonies, yet are melodic and folky in nature. Always written from inspiration, not formulas, his evocative soundscapes conjure up almost concrete images, lending themselves to the theater or film. His classical compositions are featured on the CD "Conversations", which won an award for Best Instrumental Album in the 2002 "Just Plain Folks Awards", the largest independent music awards and has debuted his award-winning Jazz compositions on Music Row in Nashville. His music has been heard on International radio stations all over the World. Tom has produced several award winning CD's in addition to arranging many pieces for various ensembles.

Educator: Tom has led composition and Jazz improvisation workshops throughout Pennsylvania. He has received four NEA awards for his work as Music Director for the YouTheatre program at the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, PA. His involvement with the Arts Infusion program piloted at Price Elementary, Lancaster, PA helped to raise the school from #17 in the county to #1 academically. Tom's residencies and workshops have included "Summerstage for Youth" at the Fulton Opera House and "Day at the Strand" in York, PA. He was also a composer with The Commission Project in Rochester, NY, which funded composers teaching composition in schools.

Educational Programs: An active clinician and educator, Tom has developed several educational programs. In "Music Makes the World Go Round," he demonstrates the global wind instruments in ancient and modern music. Tom is the originator of the Ocarina Building Workshop and "From Earth to Song," a make-at-home ocarina building kit. Since 1987, Tom has helped children of all ages design & build their own playable ocarinas out of clay. Tom also works with the Soundbeam, a unique tool to allow physically handicapped people of all ages make music.

Global Wind Instruments: In addition to the soprano & alto flutes, Tom plays the Irish pennywhistle, recorder, Chinese shakuhachi, bamboo flutes, Peruvian pan pipes, fife, antique ocarinas, and the Native American Lakota flute. Drum & Fife: Tom plays authentic period music from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. He & his drummer play on authentic fife & drum, in appropriate period costuming. Strolling Music: Tom has performed as a strolling musician for many years, in fine dining establishments as well as outdoor & other locations. He can perform solo or as a duo (with violin or guitar). His repertoire is very strong, pulling from his background in pop, rock, celtic, folk, jazz & seasonal tunes.