Currently in his 20^th year as Professor of Music at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, Thomas Root is a native of Minnesota.  After completing his undergraduate and Master's degrees at the University of Minnesota, he received the Doctorate in Music Composition from Michigan State University.

Active nationally as a guest conductor and adjudicator, Thomas Root is also well-known as a composer.  The winner of eleven Utah Composers' Guild Awards, he has written numerous commissioned pieces, including works for the University of Nevada-Reno Wind Ensemble premiered at the Western Division College Band Directors National Association meetings, two chamber works funded by Utah State Arts Council grants, and chamber works for other professional associations including the Utah chapter of Music Teachers National Association.  Dr. Root has also completed commissions for bands and orchestras in Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado.  In addition, he has composed major works for choral ensemble, including his highly acclaimed "African Carols" for choir and band.

Root's 1999 publication for band, "Chorale Prelude on ‘Sleepers Awake,'" placed first nationally and was "Best of Utah" in that year's Utah Composers Guild competition.  Another familiar band publication by Thomas Root, "Polly Oliver," was recently selected as one of the ten most important works for young band by the American Band College and is featured continuously in clinics, reading bands, graduate music education seminars and conducting classrooms throughout the world.