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Robert E. Thomas received his Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition from Rutgers University, where he studied with Charles Wuorinen, and a Mus.M. in composition from Boston University, where he studied with Lukas Foss and received a Director's Award. Dr. Thomas is an active composer, teacher, scholar and performer. His music has been presented around the country, including performances at the June In Buffalo and Music99 festivals and at the Conductor's Institute at Bard. Currently teaching Ear Training at William Paterson University, he has taught Music Theory, Ear Training and Sight Singing, Computer Music, Music Technology, Music History, Class Piano, and Keyboard Harmony at Rutgers University, William Paterson University, Seton Hall University, and Raritan Valley Community College. In addition to his composition and teaching activities, he is writing a book on music notation and is particularly interested in layered musical structures - the topic of his dissertation - and microtonal music. Dr. Thomas has long entertained a fascination with Russian folk and twentieth-century music (in particular the music of Shostakovich and Schnittke), which began with a concert of Russian folk music he attended as a child. He also has an abiding interest in Russian and Ukrainian literature, especially the work of Gogol and Bulgakov. He has visited Ukraine twice, where he was able to experience folk music, art, and dance first hand. He also does copyist work, is music director of Christ Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, NJ, and is always on the lookout for a good cup of coffee.

News February 7, 2010 Westminster Choir College Princeton, NJ Couplets is scheduled to be premiered at Wesminster Choir College's Bristol Chapel at 3:00 PM. Westminster Choir College is located at 101 Walnut Lane in Princeton, NJ. (01/05/10) New Work Available Couplets, a new work for solo piano, is now available. More information can be found here. (01/03/10) New Content Added Go to the teaching page to read student evaluations of my teaching. (04/19/09) Studio Page Added Click here to see the software and hardware I use in my work. (04/16/09)