University of the Pacific

• State: California
• Private School
• School Website
• Map Link

Thomas Derthick, bass faculty

• Email Thomas
• Thomas’ Website

General Statistics

• US News Ranking: #111 (tie) in National Universities
• US News Overall Score (out of 100): 45
• Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $44,588
• Room & Board 2016-17: $12,858
• Total Enrollment: 6,281
• Acceptance Rate (from 2015): 65%
• Student – Faculty Ratio: 13:1
• 4 year graduation rate: 44%
• % of undergrads receiving Financial aid: 69%
• Average Financial Aid: $23,653

Double Bass Statistics

• Average number of undergraduate bass students: 6
• Average number of graduate bass students: 0
• Studio Class, Orchestral Repertoire Class, Bass Ensembles

What Alumni Are Doing

• Dr. Shawn Alger, recently received DMA in Period Bass Performance from the University of Maryland, and gave a lecture/master class on period bass performance at Pacific last spring.
• Graduate studies at Indiana University, NEC, Manhattan School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, USC and San Francisco Conservatory
• Won positions in the Stockton Symphony while still enrolled at Pacific.

Perspectives from the Bass Faculty

Q: What are some of your favorite experiences teaching at your school?

A: Our orchestra repertoire and audition techniques class, which I co-teach, is open to all instrumentalists. Discussions on professional challenges, audition preparation including meditation and the various publications (Don Greene, etc.), plus weekly mock auditions and coaching.

From Thomas: Students in bass performance receive two hours per week of lessons in their junior and senior years, and play chamber music every semester they are enrolled.

About The Bass Faculty

Bassist/Teacher/Conductor Thomas Derthick enjoys a diverse musical career throughout Northern California and the Central Valley. The long-time Principal Bassist of the Sacramento Symphony, Tom is currently Principal Bassist of the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, as well as the Sacramento Choral Society. He recently completed a quarter century as Principal of the Cabrillo Festival, America’s foremost Contemporary Music Festival. A frequent recitalist and chamber musician, Tom has performed with the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento since its inaugural season, and with the Empyrean Ensemble with whom he has recorded and toured. Other performances include the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, San Diego Symphony and Oregon Symphony, as well as recording work and Broadway shows. A quarter-century of service to his fellow professional musicians culminated in Tom’s 2006 election as Vice President of the Professional Musicians of Central California, AFM Local 12.

A member of the applied faculty at Sacramento State University and the University of California, Davis since 1982, Tom joined the faculty at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music in 1988, where he has appeared as a soloist and guest conductor. In 2000 Tom was named Music Director of the Central Valley Youth Symphony. Under his leadership the orchestra has expanded its performance schedule, enrollment and community outreach; initiated its annual and highly successful Concerto Competition and collaborations with the Stockton Symphony; and twice performed in Carnegie Hall. Tom also served as Interim Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2007-08, leading their first performance in the Gallo Center for the Arts. Recent guest conducting appearances include concerts given by the American Guild of Organists; school honor orchestras in Sacramento, San Joaquin County and Tracy; and leading his Sacramento Philharmonic colleagues in their Link Up Educational Programs in April 2015. Tom was honored by the Stockton Arts Commission in 2014 with their STAR award for outstanding achievement in arts education for music.

Tom lives in River Oaks with his wife of nearly 34 years, Lisa, and their two cats, Desiree and Roxie. He plays golf badly, and enjoys sports on TV, politics and reading.