As a violinist and composer, Thomas Philbrick aims to compose music that is beautiful, engaging, and enjoyable to listen to. Never content to sacrifice structure and coherence for novelty, Philbrick composes solo, chamber, choral, and orchestral music that seeks to carry on the tradition of the great composers of the past while engaging with the modern listener. His music has been described as “energetic,” “approachable,” and “uniquely American.” He is associated with Three Essential Elements, an organization of composers, performers, and listeners that supports live performance of new, audience-friendly classical music. His compositions include:

Four Quartets (2022) - a four-movement setting of T.S. Eliot’s poem Four Quartets for choir, string orchestra, and percussion.

Violin & Piano Sonata No. 1 (2023) - a three-movement sonata for violin and piano incorporating elements of American folk and fiddle music, ragtime, jazz, and the best of the American classical tradition.

• Link to video recording of performance of first movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaJ-XDm_PC0.

• Link to structural analysis and musical explanation of first movement: https://thisweeksmusic.com/2023/06/29/a-closer-look/.

Violin & Piano Sonata No. 2 (2025) “Four Places in New England”

Song setting of T.S. Eliot’s Burnt Norton for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and string quartet

Song setting of Robert Frost’s Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening for mezzo-soprano and piano

“Built on the Rock” - hymn arrangement for organ, trumpet, and viola