Tom Koch

Bio

Dr. Tom Koch has served as Associate Director of the Music Department since 2011. He heads the Music Theory program and teaches classes in music theory, ear training, and music history. Additional duties include choral accompanist and music librarian. Previous appointments were on the faculties of Rutgers University, Franklin and Marshall College, and Union County College (NJ). An advocate and former teacher of choral music and music theory in the Wake County (NC) Public School System, Tom has been a Reader of the College Board AP Music Exam and participated in the national colloquium of the AP Music Theory Development Committee. His research interests range from the pedagogy of music in Renaissance Germany—for which he received a DAAD grant—to the piano music of John Cage. An active pianist, Tom performs in NC State faculty recitals and with the Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. He has also played with the Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera Company, Chapel Hill Chamber Music Workshop, and Lancaster (PA) Opera Company. He holds an honorary membership in NC State’s music fraternity, Mu Beta Psi. Tom received degrees in piano performance and music teaching from the Oberlin Conservatory and a Ph.D. in music history and theory from Rutgers University.