Tom Jones

Director of New Horizons (Orchestra, Jazz Band) and Spartan Youth Jazz

Thomas A. Jones is a resident of Onondaga, MI, and earned his M.A. degree in Applied Saxophone in 1978 from Michigan State University. He served as a music teacher in the Lansing School District for a total of 41 years, working as Director of Bands at Gardner Middle School, Dwight Middle School, and Sexton High School. Mr. Jones was also Director of Orchestra and Choir, and taught Class Piano and Electronic Music Composition and Arranging at Everett High School.

Mr. Jones was an adjunct professor at the Art Institute of Michigan-Novi Campus where he taught in the Audio Engineering Program. He has also served as the Minister of Music at the Lansing Redeemer Church for the past 24 years. Mr. Jones currently directs the New Horizons Jazz Band and Orchestra for adults at the MSU Community Music School.

In addition to a busy career as a teacher, Mr. Jones has enjoyed a busy career as a professional musician performing with various Motown groups (The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Aretha Franklin), Al Green, Pattie Page, Frankie Vallie, Bob Hope, Hal Linden, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Harry James Orchestra, The Couriers Big Band, and various gospel groups throughout the United States. Tom also enjoys his hobby farm in Onondaga, raising chickens, rabbits, gardening, building and flying his hand made RC airplanes, and fly fishing using his own handmade flies.