About Tom

As an 11 year veteran of teaching, Tom Torrento is currently in his 6th year as the director of bands at Grosse Pointe North High School & Parcells Middle School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. An active clinician for concert bands around the Metro-Detroit area, Tom has also been writing Marching Band drill and programming for the last 5 years. Professionally, Tom has been recognized as Region 9 Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Department of Education (2018), the District XVI Band Director of the Year by the Michigan Schools Band & Orchestra Association (2019), School Band & Orchestra Magazines Michigan Recipient of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference (2019), and most recently the Parcells Middle School Teacher of the Year in the Grosse Pointe Public School System (2022).

 

Outside the classroom, Tom is the Owner/Operator of Tom Torrento Music LLC., and has published two music education resources, Rhythm Master (January, 2022) and Tone Master (July, 2023) that are in use in classrooms all over the United States, as well as internationally in Australia, Canada and the UK. In addition to creating music education resources, Tom is also a frequent presenter at the Michigan Music Conference and inside Instrumental Music Education Methods classes at multiple Michigan Universities. Tom is currently an endorsing artist/educator for Phaeton Trumpets.

 

Prior to teaching, Tom spent seven years as a full time touring musician with PBM, a horn-driven pop rock band he co-founded in high school. During his tenure in PBM, the band released two international albums and appeared as semi-finalists on Season 1 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. After a fourteen year break, the group is reuniting to release a brand new album later this month. He continues to be active as a trumpet player/vocalist with local community theatre groups and other freelance organizations. In his down time, Tom enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Jenna and their four children; Charlotte, Collin, Crosby, and Caden..

 

Mr. Torrento holds a Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from Eastern Michigan University (2012), a Master of Arts degree in Band Conducting from the American Band College at Sam Houston State University (2015), and is in the process of completing a PhD in Music Education from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.