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photo by: Jim DeGeorge


Thomas DeLessio

 

Thom has been Director of Music and Organist for St. Francis Cathedral as well as Director of Music for the Diocese of Metuchen since February 2001. Prior to this appointment, he served Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Whitehouse Station from 1987-2001 as Director of Music and Organist. He is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton , where he majored in Music Education and has studied privately organ, piano, voice and accompanying. He has done graduate work in liturgy at LaSalle University , Philadelphia , and in conducting at Westminster . He also has a degree in computer programming. With his wife Christine, they have four young children, Adam, Mary, Emily and Catherine.

While at Our Lady of Lourdes, Thom formed and developed the various choirs. He also created a series of concerts including parish choral concerts, productions of sacred musicals and more. Thom served on the restoration committee celebrating the parish’s 75th anniversary, designing the concept for the renovated choir space, and helping to design the aural concept of the Randall Dyer pipe organ that was installed in 1998. Under Thom’s direction, the Adult Choir traveled on pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi in 1999, singing in St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass twice, including at a papal liturgy, and performing in concert at St. Ignatius Church.

As Director of Music for St. Francis Cathedral, Thom has sought to continue the tradition of quality choral singing, while encouraging the congregation to experience the richness of liturgy through their own participation in song. Thom has continued the annual Advent/Christmas concert performed by the choirs and instrumentalists. Future goals of the music ministry include a continued emphasis on congregational singing, some inclusion of piano and instruments at Mass, and development of Handbell Choirs.

As Director of Music for the Diocese of Metuchen, Thom directs the Diocesan Festival and Chamber Choirs and is responsible for the Music Ministry at principal Diocesan Liturgies. The Diocese sponsors additional concerts including productions in 2004 of Marty Haugen’s “Feast of Life” as well as a cappella choral concerts in various churches by the Chamber Choir. Thom also serves as a resource to musicians of the Diocese.


Questions:  Email us at Choir@StFrancisCathedral.org