HISTORIC WORKS FOR
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (1931-1942)

Thomas Siwe, Conductor

Professor Emeritus Thomas Siwe earned both his B.M. and M.M. degrees at the University of Illinois, returning to his alma mater to direct its percussion program from 1969 to 1998. He performed extensively as a soloist and recorded both solo and ensemble music, playing with such diverse groups as the Chicago Symphony, Boston Pops Orchestra, University of Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players and the Harry Partch Ensemble. He is a former member of the Chicago Lyric Opera, Sinfonia da Camera, and the U.S. Marine Band at Camp Pendleton.

His students may be found teaching in many well-known collegiate music schools and departments and are members of some of the most prestigious performing organizations throughout the United States.

As a past president of the Percussive Arts Society, Professor Siwe served on the Society's Board of Directors and contributed articles to both Percussive Notes and the Research Edition. His catalogs of percussion ensemble and solo music are found in libraries throughout the world. They are currently available on-line at the PAS web-site, www.pas.org. His most recent publication, Percussion: A Course of Study for the Future Band and Orchestra Director, is available from Media Press.

The 12-page CD booklet includes Siwe's program notes, with descriptive discussion on the history and significance of each composer and work.