Thomas K. Heinick, Conductor
Thomas K. Heinick has been a member of the Marine Band of Allentown since 1978. He has frequently been a featured trombone soloist since the early 1980s, and was also the first assistant conductor for many years. His collegiate conducting studies were with Jonathan Sternberg and Janet Yamron, but he attributes his conducting style to his observing and performing under many different conductors, including Ricardo Muti and Carlo Maria Giulini. Tom credits Marine Band Conductor Emeritus Ray Becker as being the single most significant teacher, mentor, and influence in his musical career.
A native of Allentown and a graduate of Dieruff High School, Heinick received a Bachelor of Music Education from Temple University in 1983 and has been teaching music and directing bands at Palmerton Area High School since 1988. Tom was a private trombone teacher in the Lehigh Valley for many years and also directed the Lehigh Valley Youth Band from 1993 to 1997. In addition to the Marine Band, he has performed extensively in a variety of styles, including orchestral, chamber, big band, Dixieland, and pit orchestras, and has been a guest soloist with the Muhlenberg College Wind Ensemble. He has also guest conducted the Pleasant Valley High School band in concert. Tom currently resides in Towamensing Township, Carbon County with his wife, Marcia, and has three musically talented children.