Tom has been the distinguished director of Arcadia High School Band for the past thirty-three years.  As a twenty-nine year old teacher from Azusa, he took the leap to the Arcadia Unified School District and the rest, as they say, is history.  He has led the band to numerous national awards and marched in the Rose Parade ten times.  The Apache Marching Band owns more than thirty (30) major championships and is nationally recognized as one of the best bands in the country.  Despite a decline in student enrollment over the years due to the shrinking district, band member numbers fell from one hundred fifty down to ninety, there was a resurgence of students over the years and today they number four hundred strong.

You can see that Tom loves what he does and has a passion for seeing his students achieve perfection.  He says that Arcadia High School students are there to learn because they want to learn and take the steps to help each other achieve.  At the annual Band Camp held in Idyllwild California, Tom has seen students mentoring other students, parent and alumni involvement that helps younger students understand the nuances of the instruments and music they play.  It’s the team concept that is so well understood with the band members.  They all realize that good music comes from practice and an “error free” mentality.  If they are not better than they were yesterday, they have not met the goal.  Tom says everyone achieves at the highest level because the students are motivated and they know they can contribute to the success of the band.

In closing, Tom thanked Arcadia High School, the District and all of those who have supported him and given him the finest experience education has to offer.

Pat Dolphin