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Tom Dean
Tom Dean

Role(s):

Specialties:

Band

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Tom Dean (Newburgh, Indiana) was attracted to music early in his life by watching and listening to his mother play piano at home and church. He later learned to play the trumpet in the Castle public school system under the direction of Jack Schernekau and Phi Beta Mu members Tom Listenfelt and Jerry Reese. After graduating from Castle High School in 1984, Dean studied Music Education at Ball State University and was heavily influenced by two Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame members – Dr. Joseph Scagnoli, Director of Bands at Ball State University and Mr. Bob Shauver, Director of Bands at New Castle Chrysler High School. Dean was appointed the high school band director at Eastbrook High School from 1988-1991, where he taught with fellow Phi Beta Mu member, John Brane. From 1991-1993, he worked in a graduate assistant position at Bowling Green State University, Ohio assisting with the marching band, concert bands and undergraduate conducting classes. While at BGSU, he earned his Master’s Degree with a conducting emphasis studying with Mr. Mark Kelly and met his eventual wife, Jill. After earning his Master’s Degree, Dean returned to Castle High School in 1993 and was named the Head Director in 1994. He has been privileged to teach at Castle High School with Phi Beta Mu members Glenn Northern and Mark Eifler. He lives in Newburgh, Indiana with his wife, Jill, and daughters, Morgan and Olivia. Under his leadership, the Castle High School wind ensemble has been named an Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Finalist 17 times and has been selected to perform at the Indiana Music Educator’s Convention. The marching band has been named an Indiana Class A State Finalist 18 times, was a 2016 Bands of America Grand National Finalist, was awarded the 2016 Sudler Shield Award from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation and was the Bands of America 2017 Class 3A National Champion. During his tenure, the Castle High School Band has traveled and performed at many prestigious contests and events throughout the country, but he is most proud of the many talented and hard working students that he has taught through the years. Dean is a member of several professional musical organizations, has served 15 years as a member of Indiana State School Music State Board, was awarded an Eli Lilly Teacher Creativity Award, received the 2003 Ball State University Alumni Achievement Citation and is now serving as the ISSMA President-Elect.