Eric Thomas

A graduate of New England Conservatory where he completed undergraduate work and undertook his graduate studies, Mr. Thomas directs the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Bands at Colby College and is the conductor of the Snow Pond Music Festival Orchestra. He was Principal Conductor of the Opera New England Touring Orchestra as mentee of Ms. Sarah Caldwell. He has been Director of Instrumental Ensembles for the University of Maine at Farmington, Assistant Conductor of the Phillips Exeter Orchestra, Interim Conductor of the Phillips Academy Andover Symphony Orchestra.  Eric has been guest conductor of the Bangor Symphony, the Colby College Symphony Orchestra, the University of Maine Faculty Cadenzato Chamber Ensemble.

As a composer he has received commissions from the Maine Teachers Association, Sonad Festival, the Music Teacher’s National Association, concert pianist Ilya Friedberg, and Professor Robert Nelson.  Eric’s compositions have been performed at the MTNA Quad State Festival, Music From Salem, Sonad Music Festival, Bar Harbor Music Festival, Ragdale Artist Colony, as well as the Moab Music Festival.

Downbeat Magazine says Concert Artist Guild winner  Eric Thomas “is a remarkably clean and inventive improviser” Identified as a virtuoso instrumentalist by founding Julliard String Quartet member Robert Koff, Thomas toured with Koff and pianist Louise Vosgershian, and has since performed and toured with several chamber groups including the Apple Hill Chamber Players, the Sylvan Winds, the Bravo Festival at Vail, the Moab Music Festival, Music From Salem, Sebago Long Lake Music Festival, the Chappaqua Chamber Players, and the Boston Pops Traveling Ensemble.  He has received laudatory reviews from the New York Times, the L.A. Times, as well as Downbeat Magazine.