Originally from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Tom Mensch is a highly accomplished music educator, conductor, and trombonist with over 30 years of experience. He is currently the Director of Bands and Fine Arts/Communications Learning Leader at Whitehouse Independent School District in Texas, where he has led the Whitehouse Wildcat Band program since 2017.
Prior to his role at Whitehouse ISD, Mr. Mensch was the Director of Bands and Instructor of Trombone at Tyler Junior College (2003-2014). During his tenure, he oversaw tremendous growth in the Apache Band, expanding it from 35 members in 2003 to over 216 members by 2009, making it one of the largest junior college band programs in the country. Under his leadership, the Wind Ensemble recorded new music for Twin Towers Publishing and toured extensively, performing some of the most challenging wind literature. In recognition of his contributions, the Thomas “Tom” Mensch III Presidential Honors Scholarship was established at TJC to support academically excellent and community-involved students.
Before his time at TJC, Mr. Mensch served as the Director of Bands at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas (2002-2003), Associate Director of Bands (1999-2002), and Director of Bands at Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in Houston, Texas (1996-1999).
Beyond his contributions to music education, Mr. Mensch is an active trombonist and clinician. He currently serves as the Principal Trombonist with the Longview Symphony, Lead Trombonist with the Souled Out Jazz Orchestra, and a member of the Rose City Brass Quintet and Metro Big Band. His performance career has taken him to over 12 countries, including Scotland, Japan, Guatemala, Russia, Ukraine, and Finland. He has performed with the Shreveport Symphony, South Arkansas Symphony, Altoona Symphony, Orchestra of the Pines, The Orchestra of the Pines, Trombones @ Houston, Tyler Big Band, and the Fred Shannon Smith Big Band.
He was a featured soloist with the Stephen F. Austin State University Trombone Choir at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention and also performed as a soloist with the Stephen F. Austin State University Symphony Orchestra after winning the School of Music’s Concerto Competition. He has been a guest artist and conductor at the Annual Trombone Day at Southern Mississippi State University.
From 2014 to 2017, Mr. Mensch served as the Minister of Instrumental Music at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he led the church’s orchestra and collaborated on musical arrangements, including a Christmas overture in 2016.
Mr. Mensch’s contributions to music education and performance have been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- Richard M. “Rick” Diamond II Excellence in Education Award (Tyler Junior College, 2008)
- Apache Spirit Award (Tyler Junior College Alumni Association, 2009)
- Whitehouse High School Teacher of the Year (2022)
He is an artist for XO Brass Instruments, where he has contributed to the development of trombones within the XO line. He is also skilled in sound engineering, music technology, and editing, with expertise in mixing and refining musical recordings.
Mr. Mensch holds a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University (2009) and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Penn State University (1996). He studied trombone with Mark Lusk, O. Richard Bundy, Tom Riccobono, Dr. Bruce Tychinski, and Richard Brady and conducting with Fred J. Allen.
He is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, International Trombone Association, College Band Directors National Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha, and Phi Beta Mu.
Tom Mensch is happily married to his wife, Heather, who is also a professional bass trombonist, and they have a beloved dog named Zoe.
