Tom Schafer, Oboe
Tom Schafer, Oboist, completed undergraduate and graduate studies in Oboe performance and Choral Conducting at St. Ambrose College and The University of Iowa. He studied with Roy Lawrence (oboe), Maria Weiss (voice), Paul Christiansen (St. Olaf’s), Weston Noble (Luther College), Carl Halvorson (All Souls Unitarian Church), and Paul Traver (University of Maryland). He worked his way through the college years – as a hospital orderly in the psychiatric unit of Mercy Hospital and the University hospitals which gave him a foundation in understanding and respect for the different realities of life’s challenges. He taught instrumental music in Iowa for several years and then entered seminary studying for the Catholic priesthood completing graduate studies in Theology, Pastoral Psychology, and Comparative Religions. In his final year before ordination, he took a sabbatical year, and determined that his real calling was in liturgy and music rather than the ordained ministry.
Upon retirement, he was so happy to be welcomed by Michael Main and the Arts Chorale of Winchester as a tenor. During the “Covid Era”, he used the time to finally master/perform/record the Strauss Oboe Concerto. Now in his 7th season with the Arts Chorale, he is grateful that Karen Keating is working her magic and rebuilding post-Covid. Having met so many wonderful people especially in the tenor section of course, the Arts Chorale has been a way that he can be a part of that caring choral environment as a member. He is so grateful to have been asked and happy to be able to contribute a wee bit of oboe to this performance.
