Dr. Thomas E. Rainey

One of the top professional music directors in Central Texas, Dr. Thomas E. "Doc" Rainey, has provided the musical direction and vision for the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra since its founding. Dr. Rainey is well know for his development of individual musicians and for his ability to raise the performance level of various types of ensembles.

A recognized leading educator, Dr. Thomas "Doc" Rainey received his Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rainey also earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Duquesne University, and a Masters of Music from the renowned Dana School of Music. He also studied at Connecticut, Morehead, and Eastman Schools of Music. Dr. Rainey has studied with such prominent musicians as Bernard Goldberg, Eugene Rousseau, Walter Mayhall, Joseph Mariano, John Wummer, Danti DiThomas, John LaPorta, Jerry Coker, and Nathan Davis. Dr. Rainey is well versed in both the jazz and classical fields.

Doc has gained wide recognition in the areas or music education and performance. He has been actively involved in public school teaching, instructor of flute at the university level, master flute classes, symphony work, clinician, jazz improvisation courses, woodwind quintets, adjudicator, woodwind method courses, jazz bands, and private instruction. He has been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Duquesne University.

In addition to the above, Doc has found the time to write a method book currently used in numerous colleges and universities across the country. He also has written a monograph on the Head Start Head Joint which was released at the National Flute Association this past August. He is currently active as a Clinician, Woodwind Specialist, private instructor, music educator and Department Chair at Round Rock High School. He is also working on several articles for various music magazines, plus, finishing a second book dealing with 'Doubling For the Woodwind Player.'

Doc really enjoys working with the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra because "it is such a joy to be able to bring amateur musicians together in a quality environment, to perform one of the greatest gifts to mankind … music. To see so many continue their musical involvement into adulthood is truly rewarding. Williamson County Symphony Orchestra provides that opportunity and I feel honored to work with such a fine organization."

Doc has two sons that recently graduated from the University of Texas … not to mention his loyal dog, Boone, a black lab.

"Doc has made me feel like an important part of the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra from the time I first joined, even though I had not played my cello for years. Each month, he recognizes my improvements and provides direction on how I can more effectively play the pieces the orchestra is tackling for the next concert," stated Robert Pearson. The management of the Palace Theater in Georgetown stated that they were impressed with the improvement Doc had made in the Orchestra's performance and sound in the eight months between the March and November 2003 concerts.

Laura Castleman, Assistant Concertmaster, in a letter to Dr. Rainey at the end of the first season wrote: "Thank you for making my Monday evenings so enjoyable. I so look forward to the practice each week. By the end of practice, I can always hear the improvement on the tough phrases of each piece we are working. I am amazed by how hard you prepared yourself to teach us and yet how you still make learning so much fun."