Thomas Penders has been accepted to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a composition student. Thomas was one of only 13 students selected to be in the composition program and he also received a scholarhsip.The San Francisco Conservatory is perhaps one of the leading music schools in the world and is the only accredited major independent conservatory of music of its kind on the West Coast of the United States. The school is very selective and limits enrollment in order to ensure that every student receives considerable individual attention and concentrated one-on-one instruction. There's also many opportunities to have student pieces performed.
Congratulations Thomas! This is quite and honor. Wishing you great success in your studies at SFCM.

Gary Garritan http:///www.garritan.com 2006
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Testimonial:
I played the piano as a child and quit when I graduated from high school because I was bored with the music and the strict, conventional method of teaching. Thirty years later, I found Tom and have renewed my love for the piano and especially classical music. His style of teaching is relaxed and inspires you to practice and want to learn. I recommend Tom Penders for anyone, any age, at any level, who would like to begin taking lessons or, like me, would like to return to taking lessons, but is afraid of becoming bored and quickly losing interest. Call Tom. Once you've had a lesson or two with him, you will become hooked.-Carole Huygen
 

Testimonial: "I returned to the piano at the age of 56 after  an absence of more than 30 years.  I first began on my own, but soon found that I had great difficulty progressing.  After 2 years, I decided I needed a teacher who was comfortable working with someone my age.  I chose Thomas because he was the only teacher in the North Bay who showed his own performances on his website.  After my first lesson, I knew I had found the right teacher for me.  He has been patient while at the same time encouraging and prodding me to go far beyond what I thought possible at my age.   I am now playing at a level that I thought would forever remain a dream, and I continue to make much greater progress than I had imagined posssible.  He has transformed my playing, not just technically but aesthetically, and I am now playing not just notes, but music.  Words can't express the joy this has brought me."                                                                                                                                       Charles Harris  http://www.westwindkayaking.com/

 

 

For more Gary Garritan and his Forums about Thomas Penders see   link at: http://www.google.com/search?q=Garritan+about+thomas+penders&hl=en&filter=0

 

I first met Mr. Thomas Penders three years ago when he hired me to tune and regulate his piano.  After hearing him play the piano, I was so astonished by his ability that I asked him to perform for an audience of professional pianists and musicians in my home, which he graciously agreed to do; I had never done such a thing before.  After that, I arranged several public performances for him because I strongly believed his extraordinary playing should be heard by as many music lovers as possible.  Together, we also made recordings of his piano performances on my Yamaha concert grand.  I also became familiar with Mr. Penders’ musical compositions, and am equally impressed by his abilities in this field. Further, I took piano lessons from him and have recommended him as a teacher to several friends and customers of mine.  I have found his abilities as a teacher at the same high standard of his other accomplishments                   .- Larry Lobel, RPT member of Piano Technicians Guild

 

Testimonial: I have studied music for over 25 years and have been active in many symphonic associations.  I believe Thomas Penders is a very talented composer and will develop into a great composer. I have listened to some of Thomas’s compositions.   To me they are wonderful and exhibit a style that is both modern and historically classical.  Thomas has written for Piano, orchestra, cello and vocal a cappella -Phil Paisley