Steven Thomas

1970 - 2021

In Memoriam: Dr. Steven Thomas (July 14, 1970 - July 12, 2020)

The family of Dr. Steven Thomas, Kingston, wishes to commemorate the anniversary of his passing. Dr. Thomas passed away peacefully on July 12, 2020, in Philadelphia, following complications from acute myeloid leukemia. His loving wife, Susan Minsavage, was by his side. Dr. Thomas had been on leave from Wilkes University, where he was Professor of Music and Chair of the Division of Performing Arts.

Born July 14, 1970, Dr. Thomas was a native of Kansas City, Mo. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University before earning the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from Yale University. Dr. Thomas became the Director of Choral Activities at Wilkes University in 1999. In addition to classroom teaching, he led the University Chorus and the Chamber Singers.

Outside of the university, Dr. Thomas was Music Director of the Arcadia Chorale (formerly the Robert Dale Chorale) and sang tenor in the Lyric Consort, an eight-voice a cappella ensemble specializing in medieval, Renaissance and contemporary works. During his career, he appeared as guest conductor at numerous festivals and often served as chorus master for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. He was well known to the NEPA classical music community, as his groups appeared in concert and on WVIA-FM throughout the year.

Dr. Thomas continued Arcadia Chorale's traditions of hosting an annual Messiah sing-along and a yearly Bach Festival. Under his leadership, the Chorale appeared at the American Choral Directors Association convention, produced recordings and premiered several of Dr. Thomas's arrangements and original compositions. Collaborations between the Wilkes choral ensembles and the Chorale were especially meaningful to him, including the March 2018 performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, in which he directed singers and instrumentalists from across the region.

Dr. Thomas's interests outside of music cannot be easily summarized, though he had a particular fondness for reading, astronomy and the outdoors. In all his efforts, he was interested in the betterment of the human condition, a cause he sought to advance through his art and his mentorship of students and colleagues, using a sharp mind and a gentle heart in equal measure.

Last fall, Wilkes University posthumously awarded Dr. Thomas the inaugural Arthur J. Hoover Legacy Award for his "accomplishments as a dedicated educator, talented artist and beloved member of the campus community." He was also posthumously granted Emeritus status.

The Arcadia Chorale dedicated their 2020-2021 concert season to him, and established the Dr. Steven Thomas Memorial Fund to award scholarships to students who sing with the Chorale. The Lyric Consort began a commissioning project in Dr. Thomas's memory, funding the creation of new choral pieces for its repertoire.

Dr. Thomas is deeply mourned by the Minsavage and Thomas families, who have had to delay a public celebration of his life due to the pandemic. Private commemorations will be held this July in Pennsylvania and Kansas. A public Memorial Concert for Dr. Thomas is planned for May 1, 2022 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, with several ensembles scheduled to perform.

For more information about the Dr. Steven Thomas Memorial Fund, please visit arcadiachorale.org.