MSU Wind Symphony: A River Runs Through It

Thomas McCauley conducts the MSU Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. He came to the Cali School from the University of Indianapolis, where he was Director of Instrumental Music Activities and the founder of the University of Indianapolis Chamber (later Symphony) Orchestra. He holds a DMA degree in conducting from Northwestern University, and Master and Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has been mentored by such notable conductors as Mallory Thompson, Larry Rachleff and Stanley DeRusha. In addition to directing the bands, Dr. McCauley directs a Weekend Wind Conducting Symposium each November with special guest clinicians from around the world, building on his past work with such notable clinicians as Eugene Corporon, Jerry Junkin, Craig Kirchhoff, and Felix Hauswirth. He has appeared with the Northshore Concert Band, the Indianapolis Brass Choir (in Italy), and led the University of Indianapolis Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra on a tour of the major cities of Austria. Dr. McCauley was the creator and host of Music Education Matters, a 30-minute radio talk show heard weekly on WICR in Indianapolis. The Nevada Music Educator’s Association named him Music Educator of the Year in 1995, and the Indiana Music Educators Association honored him with an Outstanding University Music Educator Award in 2006.