Tommy Vo

DMA candidate

Tommy Vo is a Canadian euphoniumist currently pursuing his DMA at the University of North Texas, where previously he received his Master of Music degree and in doing so became the first Canadian to study with euphonium pedagogues Dr. Brian Bowman and David Childs. Before being accepted into the highly competitive euphonium studio at North Texas, Mr. Vo received his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of British Columbia, studying under Peder MacLellan, principal tubist of the Vancouver Symphony.

Tommy has been fortunate to have gained a wealth of freelancing experience, frequently performing with professional ensembles such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Bramwell Tovey and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra with Maestro Eugene Migliaro Corporon. As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, he has full-time summer employment is with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa, which performs the Changing of the Guard ceremony every morning on Parliament Hill. Over the years, Tommy has served as principal euphonium with many diverse ensembles, which included the University of British Columbia Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra. Most recently as principal euphonium with the North Texas Wind Symphony, Tommy has extensively recorded and premiered new works for the wind band genre.

Tommy actively participates in festivals and competitions; this year, he advanced to the semi-finals of the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference Euphonium Artists Solo Competition. He also holds the distinction of being the first Canadian euphoniumst to compete as a finalist in the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Festival Euphonium Artists Solo Competition, as well as the first Canadian student to participate in the United States Air Force Band’s annual Collegiate Symposium.

Tommy had the pleasure of premiering Canadian composer, Matthew Emery’s “A New Day (give me your stars to hold)” at the Toronto’s first Tuba and Euphonium Symposium. Tommy also had the honour of premiering “Traffic for Trumpet, Alto Saxophone and Euphonium” by Canadian composer Taylor Hall. As a champion for Canadian music, Tommy is working with composers to premier many works in the near future. 

As an advocate for music education, Tommy spent several years as a low brass instructor with the Greater Vancouver Youth Music Academy, as well as assisting with outreach events such as Music Monday, the Vancouver Symphony Connects and volunteering for the British Columbia Music Educators Association.