Thomas Bara
Interlochen Arts Academy
Interlochen, Michigan
(231) 276-7429
BaraTG@interlochen.org

THOMAS BARA is Instructor of Organ and Class Piano at the Interlochen Arts Academy and Arts Camp, Interlochen, Michigan, and is Choirmaster at Central United Methodist Church, Traverse City. Prior to Interlochen, Mr. Bara was Assistant Organist at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, serving under Gerre and Judith Hancock. Mr. Bara studied organ at the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he was awarded the Fine Arts and Young Artist awards upon graduation in 1987. He then earned degrees from the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music. At Eastman, Mr. Bara received the prestigious Performance Certificate and the first Harold Gleason Emerging Artist Award. Mr. Bara won first prize in the Arthur Poister National Organ Competition and was a finalist in the National Young Artist Competition and Fort Wayne National Organ Competition. As soloist and as accompanist with The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, he has performed widely, including concerts at the Royal Cathedral, Copenhagen; King’s College, Cambridge; Saint John’s Smith Square, London; and Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London. His teachers include Robert Glasgow, Arthur Haas, Gerre Hancock, David Higgs, Robert Murphy and Russell Saunders.

THE INTERLOCHEN ORGAN DEPARTMENT is one of the smaller departments at Interlochen with an enrollment of between five and eight majors and about ten minors. Boasting a tremendously successful tradition, Interlochen organ alums attend the most competitive conservatories and universities, win major competitions and work at some of the most prestigious organist positions in the country. The Interlochen advantage for aspiring organists are: a nurturing, supportive and healthily competitive environment, daily contact with the teacher, training and discipline in practicing creatively and intelligently, piano and theory training, lessons with master teachers and concert artists, many performances both on campus and on tour, practical experience in local churches, and practice facilities on campus next to the residence halls. In support of its prized organ program, Interlochen is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and betterment of its recital organ, which will be completed by this summer. To learn more please visit http://www.interlochen.org/news/organ.