Conservatory of Music

Thomas Derthick

Thomas Derthick has been a lecturer at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music since 1988. The long-time Principal Bassist of the Sacramento Symphony, Mr. Derthick is currently Principal Bassist of the Sacramento Philharmonic, Opera, Ballet and Choral Society, as well as the Cabrillo Festival, America’s foremost Contemporary Music Festival. He frequently performs with the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento and 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. In 2000 Mr. Derthick was named Music Director of the Central Valley Youth Symphony, where he has helped expand performances, enrollment and community outreach.

Mr. Derthick holds the B.M. degree in performance and the M.M. degree in instrumental conducting from California State University, Sacramento. His bass teachers include Abe Luboff, Stuart Sankey, Murray Grodner and Dennis Trembly; his conducting studies were with Leo Eylar and Peter Jaffe. Mr. Derthick currently serves as Vice President of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 12, and is a member of the American String Teachers Association, International Society of Bassists, Northern California Bass Club, Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda.

At Pacific, Mr. Derthick teaches applied studies in String Bass as well as Orchestral Repertoire and Audition Techniques for all orchestral performance majors. His university and private studios have helped launch many students into major graduate conservatory programs and major professional orchestras. Mr. Derthick formerly served as Applied Music Coordinator for Strings and has appeared with the University Symphony Orchestra both as a soloist and guest conductor.

Conservatory of Music
University of the Pacific
3601 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95211
Voice: 209.946.2511
Fax: 209.946.2770
E-mail: Thomas Derthick