Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Jaber.
Hi Thomas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Natchez, Mississippi. My Father was from Ramallah, Palestine and my Mother is from Knoxville, Tennessee. I have one brother and one sister. I began to study music/piano at a very early age. My parents offered me so many opportunities. I have degrees from Arkansas State University (Jonesboro), Indiana University (Bloomington), The Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia). I was on the faculty of Curtis from 1976-88, Academy of Vocal Arts from 1977-86, and Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music from 1986-88, Additionally, I was Organist Choirmaster of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1977-88. Since 1988, I have been a Professor of Music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Also, I served as Director of Music at Houston’s Chapelwood United Methodist Church from 1989-2013. I currently am the Director of Music and Organist/Pianist at Houston’s Saint Anne Catholic Community.
I am married to Dr. Andrea Jaber. We are parents to 3 children: Benjamin, Patricia, and Joseph. We are grandparents to Leo Gregory Arnold III (Tripp) and Andrea Rose Arnold (Rosie).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have had so many opportunities to make great music alongside great people in multiple settings around the world. I spend most of my professional time collaborating with singers and orchestral musicians. The huge variety of music and musicians has been a tremendous joy and outlet for me. The only major struggle along the way was an accident that happened to me in November 2012. Following a few surgeries, I began to recover and made some very positive changes as a result – both professional and personal.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a pianist and organist and conductor. I work regularly with singers who are training for careers in opera and concert work. I conduct 3 choirs: the Rice University Chorale, the Saint Anne Catholic Church Choir, and RESOUND! (A group I formed about 6 months before the pandemic began in 2020).
I have enjoyed a widely varied musical life primarily because I play the piano, I read music very quickly, and I love to think, react, and speak about music, its structure, and the various obstacles that people encounter while doing it themselves. My longest association has been with Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music – now 34 years. I conduct the Rice Chorale, I coach singers on both undergraduate and graduate levels, I play recitals, I have conducted operas, musicals, etc. My job puts me squarely in the middle of doing pretty much whatever has come my way. Because I am an organist and harpsichordist, I have been able to collaborate with very many instrumental (and vocal) musicians along the way.
I am currently in Paris, France to conduct a performance of Gabriel Fauré’s magnificent “Requiem” in L’Église de la Madeleine this very evening! Over 100 singers and orchestral musicians will participate!
I am thrilled to have this chance to make this music in the place where Fauré wrote and performed it himself.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Flexibility with regard to daily life as a teacher. Zoom and FaceTime have become part of my life…although, Rice University stayed active and in person for a lot of the time during the Covid crisis. The University was very diligent about prevention and testing. I feel very fortunate to have had that outlet throughout the crisis. I have learned to NOT ever again take for granted the privilege of rehearsing and performing in person!!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiahj66/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thomas.jaber.50/
- Youtube: Tom Jaber, Thomas Jaber, Tommy Jaber
Image Credits
Shannon Langman
