Tom Philbrick earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. While at Millikin, he studied tuba with Mark Nelson and Brian Kiser. In 2005, Tom studied at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with Mark Moore and earned a Masters in Music Education. Tom has been the band director for 8 years, teaching grades 4-12 in New Berlin and Loami schools. He is an active member of the Springfield Municipal Band, the Heartland Brass Band, the Illinois Volunteer 10th Cavalry Band, the New Century Orchestra, the Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church Praise Band, and the Gene Trimble Dixieland Clown Band. Tom has also performed with the Decatur Municipal Band, the Capitol Area Band, the Tony Barron Orchestra, Frank Parker, and is a founding member of the Brick House Brass Quintet. He has also guest conducted the Cass County Junior High Band, the Springfield Muni Opera's Aida and Miss Saigon, and the Illinois Music Educators Association Junior High Band this year. Tom enjoys playing various tubas, composing for friends and students, and hanging out with his beautiful girls at home; wife, Bekah, and daughter, Leotie (3).