Thomas Zugger

Professor

Department

• Music

Contact Information

• 614-236-6274
• tzugger@capital.edu
• Conservatory Complex 216

Biography

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. Dr. Zugger is an associate professor of trombone and euphonium at the Capital University Conservatory of Music — a position he has held since 1998. 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, Dr. Zugger taught at Adrian College in Adrian, Mich., and has also taught in the Walled Lake Michigan public schools.

As a trombonist and euphonium player, Dr. Zugger has performed extensively. He is currently principal trombone in the Newark/Granville Symphony and appears with the Ashland and Mansfield symphonies in Ohio, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He also appeared the 18th Macau China International Music Festival. He has performed for national tours of numerous Broadway musicals and has backed many popular performers, including Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, Barry White, Moody Blues, Melissa Manchester, Irish Tenors, Wayne Newton, and many others.

Dr. Zugger also keeps a busy schedule as a clinician. Recent appearances include the 2010 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 30 state National Association for Music Education conferences, The Big XII Trombone Conference, College Music Society Great Lakes Chapter Convention, Bowling Green State University Contemporary Trombone Festival, and many colleges and universities.

His latest CD, Dances and Dreams: recital music for trombone, on the Mark record label and available on his web site www.zuggermusic.com, was awarded a Grammy entry list nomination for 2010. Dr. Zugger is an artist/clinician for Edwards Trombones and an authorized distributor for Griego Mouthpieces. As a published composer and arranger, Zugger’s works are regularly performed by artists nationally and internationally, and have been featured at both the International Trombone Association and International Clarinet Association annual conventions.

He is a member of Broadcast Music, Inc., and is listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Education. He is on the International Trombone Association’s Press Board and literature review committee. His compositions are published through Brixton Publications, TAP Music, Warwick Music, the International Trombone Association Press, and on his website.

His primary teachers for trombone were Curtis Olson and Joe Duchi and for composition Ed Sarath and Jan Radzinski. An avid runner, Dr. Zugger has complete 45 marathons and three 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 new son, Nathan.