For Dr. Ken Thomas, music has always been more than notes on a page. It has been a calling, and
ultimately the force that changed the direction of his life.
Now, his journey has come full circle. Thomas will join the faculty of Southern Union State Community
College (SUSCC) and lead the newly established Concert and Community Choir on its Opelika campus
Like a beautifully composed concert work, his own musical story began at Southern Union. A native of
Auburn, Thomas began his study of music at Southern Union, under the leadership of longtime SU music instructor, Ann Caldwell. Thomas said Caldwell’s influence helped shape not only his career but also his outlook on life.
“Those memories and what I learned under Ann shaped what I would do in my career,” Thomas said.
“She taught me that you can see the world through the arts.”
It was a lesson that stayed with him throughout a distinguished career in music education. Thomas has
taught at every educational level and has become a highly respected adjudicator and clinician, sharing
his expertise with schools, churches, and organizations across the region.
With 33 years of experience in teaching, he has spent the last 18 years as chair of the Fine Arts
Department and instructor of music at Enterprise State Community College. He did in fact see the world, taking his choirs to Italy, London, Washington DC, and Carnegie Hall in New York, ESCC choirs were chosen to debut works in Europe, and perform a composition commemorating the tenth anniversary of the devastating tornados that struck Enterprise.
Despite his many accomplishments, Thomas has never lost his passion for connecting with his students, and seeing them succeed. “I have said that the arts saved my life,” he said. “As a young person, the expectations for me were not high, but once I saw where the arts could take you, it changed my perspective and the trajectory of my life. I want to inspire that same transformation in others.”
He is focusing on the expansion of SUSCC’s music program to do that. The new Concert and Community Choir at SUSCC will create opportunities for both students and local residents to experience the joy of singing together.
Students interested in participating in the concert choir should plan to attend auditions on August 3-4 in the Higginbotham Academic Center. They will be required to perform one prepared piece. Community members interested in joining the choir should contact Thomas directly. The concert choir will meet twice weekly for rehearsals, while community members will rehearse on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. beginning on August 17.
Thomas said he is especially excited about the community component in the choir. “The most important part of our name is ‘community,'” Thomas said. “It is who we are. We want the community to be part of Southern Union. We want to truly be the Community’s College.”
Just as a musical composition often returns to its opening melody with greater richness and depth,
Thomas has returned to Southern Union with decades of experience, a passion for teaching, and a desire to help others discover how music can change lives.
“I can’t think of a better person than Dr. Thomas to lead this exciting expansion of our department,” said Dr. William Rayfield, director of music and fine arts and humanities chair at SU.
“His passion and commitment make him the ideal person to lead this exciting new chapter for the music department.”
For more information on becoming part of Southern Union’s concert and community choir, contact
Thomas at kthomas@suscc.edu or 334-745-6437 ext.5573.
