Mr. Michael Thomas
Michael E. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1995 from Troy University, and graduated with his Master of Science in Education Degree in 1999, also from Troy University. Mr. Thomas holds an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota, in Sarasota, Florida. In 2023, Mr. Thomas retired from Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia.
Before his appointment to Lowndes High School, he was the Director of Bands at Valdosta High School for thirteen years. Prior to his teaching position at Valdosta High School, Mr. Thomas taught at Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia and spent eight years as the Director of Bands at Americus-Sumter County High School in Americus, Georgia. Before moving to Americus, Georgia, he spent two years starting a previously non-existent band program at Calhoun County High School in Edison, Georgia. Concert and marching bands under the direction of Mr. Thomas have received numerous superior ratings, best in class awards, divisional awards, and grand championships. Students under his instruction have been accepted to participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Concert and Symphonic Bands, All-State Jazz Ensemble, South Georgia Region Honor Band, District Honor Band, and District Jazz Ensemble. Additionally, Mr. Thomas has had students perform in Florida, North Carolina, New York, England, France, Italy, and Germany.
Mr. Thomas was selected as the 2017 Music Educator of the Year by the GMEA, and has served as the Fine Arts Department Chairman at previous schools. He has been elected to serve as the GMEA District VIII Chairman, District Honor Band Chairman, Music Selection Committee Chairman, and Adjudication Committee Chairman. In 2002 and 2003, he received recognition from “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and from “Outstanding Young Men of America” in 1998. During his distinguished career, Mr. Thomas has received twenty-one Golden Apple Awards and has adjudicated and/or conducted bands throughout Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
As a performer, Michael has played with the Albany Symphony under the direction of Dr. Claire Fox Hillard in Albany, Georgia. He has also performed with the Tara Winds Community Band under the baton of Dr. David Gregory for three GMEA In-Service Conference appearances and at the American Bandmasters Convention in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Michael has guest conducted the Troy University Symphony Band under the direction of Dr. Mark Walker at the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic and Honor Bands and the Braswell High School Wind Symphony under the direction of Mr. Aaron Snipes, III at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
He remains a member of the Southeastern United States Honor Band and Clinic Band Board of Directors at Troy University. His professional organizations include Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmasters Fraternity, Minority Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandsmen, the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Georgia Association of Educators.
