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Thomas J. O'Neal

Thomas J. O'NealAssociate Professor of Music
Director of Bands
DMA, University of Arizona
office: 202A Loeb Hall
phone: 573-884-0427
fax: 573-884-7444
email: ONealTJ@missouri.edu
mailing address: 202A Loeb Hall Columbia, MO 65211



Dr. Thomas O’Neal is the Director of Bands at the University of Missouri. He conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaches graduate conducting courses, and guides all aspects of the MU band program, which includes seven performing ensembles.

The University of Missouri Symphonic Wind Ensemble released their first compact disc, Traditions and Classics, in 2003. The CD includes the wax cylinders of Percy Aldridge Grainger’s 1905-1908 recordings of English folksingers performing the music upon which he based his band classic Lincolnshire Posy. In addition to Lincolnshire Posy, the CD features the music of Vittorio Giannini, Camille Saint-Saens, and J. S. Bach.

During Dr. O’Neal’s tenure Arkansas State University, the University Wind Ensemble released their first compact disc, Visions, in 1995. The CD featured the music of Arkansas band composers and received critical acclaim for “fine playing...high musical integrity and energy.” Their second compact disc, ...nite ridin’ on da riva, was released in 1997. In 1998, the Wind Ensemble released a live recording of their performance at the College Band Directors National Association conference. The performance featured the music of Pulitzer prize-winning composer Karel Husa, including Apotheosis of This Earth and Concertino for Piano and Winds. The performance was acknowledged by the composer as “one of the finest live performance of my music that I have ever experienced.”

A native Iowan, Dr. O’Neal received a bachelor of music education degree from Iowa State University in Ames, the master of music degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, and the doctor of musical arts degree in conducting from the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Ensembles under Dr. O’Neal’s direction have been featured at state, regional, and national music conferences. Additionally, Dr. O’Neal maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician, having appeared throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America