Reed Thomas is director of bands and a professor of Music and Conducting at MTSU. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and University Chamber Winds. Thomas is an avid supporter of new music, commissioning over 50 works since 2003. He received his Ph.D. in Music with an emphasis in Conducting from the University of Minnesota and both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Utah. He is retired from the U.S. Army National Guard, where he served for over 20 years as a conductor, clarinetist, and saxophonist.