UH Email

Thomas Bingham

Professor Emeritus

Thomas Bingham retired from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa in 2020 after 36 years, which included serving as Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, the School of Architecture, and the School of Travel Industry Management. He also served as Special Assistant to the Provost, Music Department Chair, faculty, APT, and graduate assistant. As Professor of Music, Mr. Bingham was the Associate Director of Bands, leading the 280-member Rainbow Warrior Marching Band, conducting the Symphonic Band, and teaching courses in wind band history and literature, woodwind methods, and music education.

Professor Bingham began his career at UHM as the Assistant Band Director, conducting University bands as well as the Pep Bands and Hula Bowl Bands. In 1982 he moved to California to build the music program at Lompoc High School as the Director of Instrumental Music. conducting the Marching Band, Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Theater Orchestra. He also founded and directed the Lompoc Unified School District Orchestra. After nine years he returned to UHM as faculty in the Music Department and later serving in administration.

Professor Bingham regularly appeared as guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout Hawai’i and the mainland and conducted musicals for the University of Hawaiʻi and the Castle Theater Guild. In 2011 he conducted the National Taitung University Symphonic Wind Orchestra on a tour of Taiwan. He received a Bachelor of Arts in music education from California State University, Fresno, and a Master of Arts in music education from the University of Hawaiʻi. Professor Bingham served in several capacities on the board of the Hawaii Music Educators Association and as State Chair for both the National Band Association and National Association of Jazz Educators.

Bingham resides in Hawaiʻi, volunteering for Diamond Head Theatre and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.