Dr. Thomas Holm Professor of Music; Department Chair
Education:
D.M.A., University of Illinois
M.Mus., University of Alberta
M.Mus., University of Idaho
B.S.M., Big Sky Bible College
712-707-7065
tholm@nwciowa.edu
DMH 101
Directs: A cappella Choir and Heritage Singers
A member of Northwestern's faculty since 2000, Dr. Holm teaches a wide variety of choral, vocal and music history courses in addition to directing choral ensembles. He also conducts the Sioux County Oratorio Chorus.
Holm was on sabbatical for the 2016–17 academic year teaching courses at a university in Taiwan, as well as directing various choral and instrumental ensembles and offering workshops and master classes in choral methods and conducting techniques. He also studied the choral techniques of Taiwanese musicians.
Prior to coming to Northwestern College, he served as director of choirs at The King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta, and as chair of the fine arts department and music professor at Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Holm is the recipient of two Canada Council choral conducting grants, as well as the two-year Sir Frederick Haultain Fellowship awarded by the Province of Alberta for outstanding academic scholarship in the arts.
MUS164 - Heritage Singers
Membership in each ensemble is by auditions held in the fall during the first week of classes.(1/4 credit)
MUS170 - A cappella Choir
Membership in each ensemble is by auditions held in the fall during the first week of classes. Note: Ensembles may be repeated. Chamber Ensembles may be taken in lieu of private instruction for one semester in either the junior or senior year to meet scholarship requirements.
MUS181 - Voice Class
This class is designed for the beginning singer and addresses the processes and mechanics of singing such as posture, breathing, tone production and diction. A rudimentary knowledge of note reading is expected.(1 credit)
MUS218 - Vocal Diction
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the singer's pronunciation of English, French, German, Italian and Latin, using the standard International Phonetic Alphabet.Prerequisite: applied voice or permission of instructor.(2 credits, alternate years, consult department)
MUS261 - Voice Lessons
Private instruction is offered in keyboard, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion and string performance.Prerequisite: permission of instructor.(1-2 credits)
MUS301 - Basic Conducting
This course is designed to assist students in developing a basic conducting technique. Skills are taught which enable the student to direct vocal and instrumental groups. Included in the course are studies in transposition, clef reading and score preparation.Prerequisite: MUS112.(2 credits, alternate years, consult department)
MUS317 - History of Music I
Music history courses present a summary of the chronological development of music in western civilization. Music from ancient times through the Baroque is covered.Prerequisite: MUS112 or permission of instructor.(3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
MUS319 - History of Music III
Music history courses present a summary of the chronological development of music in western civilization. Music from the late 19th century through the present is covered.Prerequisite: MUS112 or permission of instructor.(3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
MUS412 - Special Topics in Music
This course provides in-depth study of special topics in music. Students will look at philosophical and practical issues in music within society and various cultures. Students will explore questions in theoretical, theological, historical, and performance approaches to music.Prerequisite: MUS318 or permission of instructor.(2 credits, non- yearly, consult department)
"Choosing Literature for a Powerful Performance," published in the spring 2004 edition of Melisma, the official publication of the North Central American Choral Directors Association
"Arvo Pärt’s Miserere: an overview", presented on Friday March 2010, at the Arvo Pärt and Contemporary Spirituality Conference, Boston University
Assistant Conductor, University of Illinois Varsity Men's Glee Club
Director of Choral Ensembles, The King's University College, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Chairman, Fine Arts Department, Prairie Bible College, Three Hills, Alberta, Canada
American Choral Directors Association
Iowa Choral Directors Association
Canada Council Study Grant in Choral Music, 1995
Province of Alberta Sir Frederick Haultain Fellowship, 1993 and 1994
