Tom Trenney, assistant professor of music, has been named the 2024 Nebraska Music Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Music Education Association.
This prestigious honor recognizes his profound impact on music education, his exceptional leadership and his unwavering dedication to students.
Trenney oversees NWU’s University Choir and Chamber Singers, teaches Advanced Conducting, and plays a pivotal role in recruiting prospective vocal students. Beyond his work on campus, Trenney has established a dynamic presence in Nebraska's choral community, regularly collaborating with high school choirs and enriching the university's choral program through partnerships with Abendmusik at First-Plymouth Church.
One nominator said, “Since joining the NWU community in the fall of 2019, he has brought visibility and recognition to the NWU music program and community. Tom has substantially reimagined and elevated choral music at our university while continuing to impact choral and organ music locally, regionally, and nationwide."
“There is noticeable joy that characterizes the choirs and ensembles under Tom’s direction. In his course evaluations, students share that they look forward to choir time, which one of them described as “the highlight of my day.” They commend Tom’s positive attitude, encouragement, authentic concern for them as individuals, as well as his ability to lift their spirits.”
A student nominator said, “Not only is he an amazingly gifted creator and educator, but an intentionally loving person who saves a seat for everyone in his choir. He celebrates and employs the diversity and experiences of each individual he encounters. Mr. Trenney emphasizes the sensations and emotions that his choirs feel as we produce music and strives to express the deepest message a piece has to offer. I have been exposed to a new perspective of the choral arts, and I can confidently say that it has forever changed how I view the world of music.”
Trenney's choirs are celebrated for their technical precision, emotional depth, and artistic excellence. Under his direction, NWU ensembles have performed at high-profile events, including national conferences and collaborations with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. His leadership extends to creating innovative opportunities, such as the Unity Choir—a multigenerational ensemble uniting students, alumni, and community members in joyful music-making.
Trenney’s national and international reputation as a conductor, composer, and organist enhances the visibility of NWU's music program. His recent accolades include conducting honor choirs nationwide and winning the Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition. His leadership fosters critical conversations about diversity and social justice in the arts, further enriching the educational experience for his students.