For over thirty years, Dr. Tom Polett has been a versatile and active performer as
a trombone and euphonium soloist, orchestral musician, jazz artist, chamber musician,
and church musician. He has performed with the Quincy (IL), Southeast Iowa, Asheville
(NC), Greenville (SC), Charlotte (FL), and Arizona Ballet Orchestras among others.
In 1995, he served as the Principal Trombonist of the Orvieto Musica Chamber Orchestra
in Italy. As a chamber musician, he has performed and recorded with a number of ensembles,
including the Aurora Brass Quintet when they represented the United States as a part
of the International Brass Festival in Italy. As a jazz artist, he has appeared numerous
times as a featured soloist for jazz festivals around the U.S., and has performed
alongside a long list of internationally acclaimed jazz artists. Before coming to
ÂÌñÒùÆÞ, Dr. Polett held similar positions at Culver-Stockton College (MO),
Limestone College (SC), Georgia College and State University, and others. He was also
a core faculty Member of the Missouri Fine Arts Academy for 18 summers, a Governor's
School of the Arts held at Missouri State University.
Dr. Polett is in high demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and educator. He has
conducted numerous District Bands, District Jazz Bands, and Conference Honor groups
throughout the Midwest. He has published articles in the International Trombone Association
Journal, the Tuba and Euphonium Brotherhood Association Journal, and the Journal of
Performing Arts Leadership in Higher Education. Dr. Polett has also been very active
in the field of International Education. He has taught or performed in over 20 countries
Including Italy, Germany, Austria, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, and Cuba.
Dr. Polett's teacher/mentors include Steve McEuen, Philip Jameson, Gail Wilson, Gerry
Pagano, and Joe Alessi. He received a Bachelor of Music Education at Mansfield University
of Pennsylvania with a minor in Jazz Studies, earned a Master of Music in Trombone
Performance at Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone
Performance with an emphasis in Music Theory at the University of Georgia. He has
presented workshops and performance clinics at the Eastern Trombone Workshop, the
International Trombone Festival, State Music Educator Conferences, College Music Society
Conference, Iowa Bandmasters Association, and the Eastern Tuba and Euphonium Workshop.
- College Band
- Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz Combo
- Trombone
- Brass Techniques
- Ear Training/Sight Singing
- Modern Analytical Techniques
- Orchestration and Instrumentation
- History of Popular Music
- History of Jazz
- Observation of Directed Teaching
- FYE