Our Director - Tom Crook

Tom's music history began very early in life when he pounded out drum beats on the back of the car seat.  Driving his mom and dad crazy they quickly bought him a small drum set to satisfy his need to create rhythm.  He joined the band in the sixth grade and was marching in the High School band by the eighth grade.  Tom is an accomplished drummer with numerous awards for Honor's Band, All-County, All-State, and Governor's Band.  After finishing High School Tom worked for three years as a back-up musician to Barry Manilow and Dionne Warwick before entering college.

 

Tom was first exposed to barbershop while in high school.  His Algebra III teacher was a member of the Asheville Sweet Adelines chorus and they were having a fall show.  During the show he was awed at the sound of four-part harmony, having never “really” heard or paid attention to barbershop music.  During the second half of the show their featured quartet was Boston Common, and he was totally entranced.  He was invited to attend the afterglow and was just inches away from them while they sang another 30 minutes of music.  After that, he was hooked!

 

After finishing college he joined a local chapter and immediately began singing in a quartet. Over the next 15 years his barbershop merits included 1988 Dixie District Chorus Champion with Knox Metro, 2000 District Quartet Champion and 15th place semi-finalist with Overture, and 2007 9th place International chorus finalist with Atlanta Vocal Project.

 

Tom is proud to be directing the Song O' Sky chorus and is looking forward to taking the barbershopping skills of this fine group of ladies to a whole new level.