CCM Interim Dean bruce d. mcclung has announced the addition of esteemed conductor and educator Thomas Gamboa as the college’s new Assistant Director of Wind Studies. Gamboa’s appointment begins on Aug. 15, 2018.
Originally from San Diego, Gamboa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Music Performance in bassoon from UCLA. He also earned a Masters of Music degree in Conducting from Northwestern University, where he studied with Mallory Thompson. Additional conducting studies include work with Tom Lee, Donald Neuen, Victor Yampolsky, Craig Kirchhoff, Kenneth Kiesler, Neal Stulberg, Jerry Junkin, David Effron, David Loebel, Donald Hunsberger, Michael Votta, Kevin Sedatole, Gary Hill and Mark Davis Scatterday. This spring, he will complete his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Michigan, where he is studying with Michael Haithcock.
An accomplished conductor, Gamboa previously held the rank of Captain and served active duty as Conductor and Commander of the United States Air Force Band at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He later served as Associate Conductor and Flight Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He earned his commission from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in February 2011.
Gamboa traveled with the Band of the Air Force Reserve on numerous national and international tours including Spain, Germany, Turkey, Qatar and Kuwait. He also helped plan, execute and edit the band’s final television broadcast Holiday Notes from Home 2011, which featured country music group Little Big Town and singer/songwriter Lee Ann Womack as guest artists. The Band of the Air Force Reserve celebrated a historic second nomination for an Emmy Award in Entertainment Programming for this broadcast, which was viewed by 1.1 million people in 174 countries.
A seasoned educator, Gamboa taught and served as the Instrumental Music Director and Music Department Chair at West Adams Preparatory High School in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Central Los Angeles. During his tenure, he founded and conducted the high school’s marching band, wind ensemble, chamber orchestra and symphonic orchestra. He was also a conducting and chamber music instructor for the National High School Music Institute, where he served as Assistant Conductor for the Wind Ensemble. Additionally, Gamboa taught drum major camps with the United Spirit Association during the summer for more than 15 years. In addition to teaching, he designed the conducting curriculum and trained instructors throughout his time with the drum major camps.
On the announcement of CCM’s new Assistant Director of Wind Studies, mcclung commented:
“Current and future students will benefit from Professor Gamboa’s extensive experience as a conductor and educator. He makes an excellent addition to CCM’s Division of Ensembles and Conducting, and I am grateful to Wind Studies Search Committee Chair Terence Milligan and committee members James Cully, Kevin Holzman, Ann Porter and Aik Khai Pung for their efforts with this successful search.”
Please join us in welcoming Professor Gamboa to the CCM Family!
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