Frank D. Thomas
Office: Potter Hall 112C, 271-4428
Email: thomasfd@missouriwestern.edu

Frank D. Thomas, bass-baritone and Director of Choral Activities at Missouri Western State University, has served as the Artistic Director of the St. Joseph Community Chorus since 1980 and St. Joseph Chamber Choir since it was formed in 1987. At Missouri Western, in addition to directing the MWSU Concert Chorale, he teaches Advanced Choral Conducting, Choral Methods, Choral Literature, Applied Voice and supervises music student teachers in elementary and secondary choral music education .

Thomas received his undergraduate and master’s degree from Wichita State University School of Music, Wichita, Kansas where he studied voice with Arthur Newman and conducting with Robert Hines and H. C. Boughton. He has done doctoral work in voice and conducting at the University of Missouri, Kansas City and additional work at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, the Oberlin Institute of Vocal Performance Pedagogy and at the Oregon Bach Festival, Portland, Oregon.

Thomas, well known throughout the Midwest as soloist, clinician and conductor, served Westminster Presbyterian Church and Ashland United Methodist Church as choir director for many years. He has served as cantor at Temple Adath Joseph since 1982. In 1996, he received the Mayor’s Award for Individual Artist and was recognized by the Missouri Choral Directors Association in 2001 with the Luther T. Spayde Award for lifetime achievement and significant contributions to the choral art.

An active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Thomas served as chair for Community Choirs for the State of Missouri and was Vice-President of the College and University Division of Missouri Music Educators Association. Thomas is the faculty sponsor of the MWSU Collegiate Music Educator National Conference. Other professional affiliations include: Missouri Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.