By Dorian Martin ’06 

Tom Gerber continually remains attuned to life’s opportunities. Already able to transition easily from conducting high school choirs to professional choruses, he’s now the new assistant director of choral activities for the Division of Student Affairs’ Department of Music Activities. In that role, Gerber will be taking over the conducting baton for Texas A&M University’s Century Singers and Women’s Chorus  

He’s busy preparing for the choirs’ fall concert on October 16 while also learning his way around Texas A&M. “I have the most supportive and fun colleagues and amazing students. I look forward to working with them each day!” he said, “I think A&M has some of the best people on any college campus and my interactions thus far have proven just that!” 

An Ear for Music 

Gerber grew up in Austin, Minnesota, located in the southeastern portion of the state. “A fun fact about Austin: it is the home of the Hormel company and where they make SPAM!” he laughingly noted. 

Yet his career choice wasn’t chopped meat. Gerber began devoting himself to music in high school, playing trumpet in the band and singing in the choir. “Music has always inspired me with its complexities and its ability to evoke an emotional response,” he explained. 

After graduating, he enrolled in Luther College in Iowa, where he majored in Music Education--and discovered a passion for conducting and opera. Gerber went on to earn a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2015. 

Soon after, Gerber joined Bishop England High School in Charleston, South Carolina, where he conducted the school’s choirs and spring musical. During his tenure, the choir program grew both in size--from 13 to over 100 students—and prestige. In 2019, Gerber and 50 of the school’s choir students were invited to Carnegie Hall, where they performed the world premiere of William Menefield’s Prism as well as Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. He also was the recipient of the2016 Outstanding New Faculty Member award was a finalist for the annual Teacher of the Year award in 2019. 

Gerber also established himself in the greater Charleston arts community, which hosts the internationally known Spoleto Festival USA. In addition to serving as the interim music director at St John the Baptist Cathedral, Gerber was the associate conductor of the Charleston Symphony Chorus. “I helped prepare the choir for choral/orchestral major works such as Mozart Requiem, Britten St. Nicolas, Handel Messiah, Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Holiday Pops, and Bach St. John Passion and Beethoven Symphony 9 for the Spoleto Festival,” he said. “I also was involved with a very cool project with CineConcerts where I prepared the choir to perform with live orchestra for a showing of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” 

Off to College 

Wanting to continue his own personal exploration of music and hone his conducting skills, Gerber decided to leave Charleston in 2020 to pursue a doctorate at the University of North Texas. “I always knew I wanted to teach at the collegiate level, so the Doctor of Musical Arts was necessary for that path,” he said. “I chose UNT because my undergraduate mentor was there as well as the university’s esteemed reputation in the choral world.” 

Two years later, he was lured to Aggieland. “I saw the job posting for my current position and it was exactly the job I was looking for, so I applied!” he said. “I was really drawn to the fact I get to work with undergraduate, non-music majors! Some of my most rewarding experiences have been working with people whose vocation is not music but rather something they enjoy doing.” 

In addition to his video game collection, running shoes, and favorite books, Gerber brought his beloved dog, Chloe, to Bryan/College Station. “She’s a 6-year-old Ridgeback Hound who loves people more than other dogs and loves to give kisses!” he proudly said. “She’s known for her toothy grins and being vocal, especially when she wants to go outside or for a walk!” 

The pair are just beginning to explore what the community has to offer—but Gerber already is impressed. “I love the area! It’s got the small town feel with an enormous college presence,” said Gerber. “I’m excited for the game day atmosphere and for students to arrive and see this campus alive!”

You can support the good work that employees like Tom Gerber are doing for Texas A&M students. Contact David Wilkinson '87, assistant vice president for development, at [email protected] or call 979-458-1689.