Praised for his “beautiful resonate tone” and “outstanding flexibility” (ITA Journal), Dr. Thomas W Zugger has enjoyed an international career as a performer, educator and composer. Zugger is currently Dean and Professor of Trombone and Euphonium at the Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, OH. He spends his summers teaching at the International Music Camp on the border of Canada and North Dakota at the International Peace Garden. Prior to his appointment at Capital University, Dr. Zugger taught at Adrian College in Adrian, MI and has also taught in the Walled Lake, MI public schools.
As a trombonist and euphonium player, Dr. Zugger has performed extensively. He is currently principal trombone in the Newark/Granville Symphony as well as appearing with the Ashland Oh Symphony, Mansfield Oh Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and at the 18th Macau China International Music Festival. He has performed for national tours of numerous Broadway musicals and has backed many popular performers including the Moody Blues, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and others. Dr. Zugger also keeps a busy schedule as a clinician. Recent appearances include the NAfME National Conference, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic on three separate occasions, thirty state NAfME conferences, The Big XII Trombone Conference, College Music Society regional conferences, and many colleges and universities. His latest CD Dances and Dreams: recital music for trombone, on the Mark Record label was awarded a Grammy entry list nomination. Dr. Zugger is an artist/clinician for Edwards Trombones.
As a published composer and arranger, Zugger’s works are regularly performed by artists nationally and internationally, and have been featured at the International Trombone Association International Trumpet Guild, and International Clarinet Association annual conventions. He has been a guest composer at many Universities and at the MidWest Trombone and Euphonium Conference. He is a member of BMI. His compositions are published through Brixton Publications, Ensemble Publications, Cimarron Music, and Warwick Music of London.
Dr. Zugger holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Trombone Performance from The Ohio State University. His primary teachers for trombone were Curtis Olson and Joe Duchi and for composition Ed Sarath and Jan Radzinski. He is an avid runner having complete 74 marathons and 3 ultra marathons. In his spare time he enjoys hiking traveling and cooking with his wonderful and patient wife, clarinet professor Dr. Gail L Zugger and their son Nathan.
