Thomas Pibal eats, breathes and lives music, although sometimes he eats bacon and breathes air, too. Thomas plays 26 instruments, has a different hairstyle every day and lives to connect with, edify and inspire people through the amazing and transcendent art of organized sound.
Thomas has worked as the staff accompanist at Lakeland University and Silver Lake College, the rehearsal accompanist for the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus, the choir director at the University of Wisconsin – Fond Du Lac, band and choir director at Sheboygan Lutheran High School, interim choir director at Kiel High School and lounge pianist in residence at the Hotel Retlaw of Fond Du Lac.
As a student, Thomas was a co-recipient of Lakeland College’s “Outstanding Overall Music Student” award. While a member of Appleton based band “The Electra Color,” they were nominated for the Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s “Best New Band” award in 2015. Thomas was nominated for the WAMI’s “Keyboard Player of the Year” award in 2016. While he was a member of Unity the band during 2020-2021 the band received the WAMI award for “Artist of the Year 2020.” In 2017 Thomas wrote and produced his first soundtrack for a short film that was part of the Madison 48 hour film festival. The writing, recording and editing for the score all took place in the space of one day. The film received the award for “Best Original Score” and was runner up for the title of best overall film at the local festival.
In 2011 Thomas released his first album of original music and he continues to write, record, produce and release music from his home studio. Thomas is a friend and former treasurer of the Michibago Music Teachers Association and teaches private piano, voice, guitar, bass and percussion lessons in the Sheboygan Area. Thomas performs regularly as a solo entertainer and lounge pianist, performs with his band The Thomas Pibal Trio: www.thomaspibal.com and is also the drummer for the jazz combo Jive Safely: www.jivesafely.com Thomas also works as a freelance accompanist for various high schools and theatre companies among other clients, and has also filled the role of rehearsal accompanist, music/vocal director, pit director and sound designer for several musicals.
Program support for this artist series is donated by: The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and the Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation, Inc.