Our condolences to the University of Iowa School of Music family as they mourn the passing of Professor Emeritus Thomas L. “Tom” Davis. Known as the “Father of Percussion,” Davis created the UI percussion program, one of the first in the nation, as well as the jazz studies program.
Davis joined the faculty in 1958 as assistant band director. In addition to teaching, he served as director of the UI Hawkeye Marching Band for five years and directed the alumni marching band for 30 years, officially retiring in 1996.
“During his 38-year tenure, he helped hundreds of students find their way,” percussion professor Dan Moore said to the Iowa Press-Citizen. “It makes me hope that I will be remembered in that same way someday, and it encourages me to continue to be the type of teacher and person Tom was.”
Davis passed away Saturday, Nov. 15 at the age of 80 in Iowa City. Read the full story on press-citizen.com.
