Thomas Gauger
Bio:Tom Gauger was born in Wheaton, Illinois and studied Percussion at the University of Illinois with Paul Price and Jack McKenzie getting a degree in Applied Music. During that time, he played with Harry Partch, an experimental contemporary composer of the time who created his own instruments and wrote in a 43 tone octave. While still in school he attended the Tanglewood Music Center summer program and after graduating was asked to be the Percussionist at a music festival in Saskatoon. Following that he went to Oklahoma City where he was Principal Percussionist for 4 years. In addition to his duties with the Orchestra he taught at Oklahoma University and Oklahoma City University and had a wide range of playing opportunities, including nightclubs, rodeos, and a tour with Ray Eberly. He has played in the Boston Symphony since 1963 and with many conductors from Pierre Monteux, and Charles Munch to Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. In the pops he has played with Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, Keith Lockhart and more. He has made from 300 to 500 recordings and television shows with both Symphony and Pops and has recorded background music for several movies including the Temple of Doom, Schindler’s list, and Saving Private Ryan. From 1965 until 1997 he was also on the faculty at Boston University and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In addition to his business of manufacturing drum sticks and accessories for percussion, he composes and publishes his own music for percussion and enjoys family get togethers, travel, cross country skiing, and using his Macintosh.