About the author
Thomas Caplin is a composer, arranger and Associate Professor at the University of Inland Norway. Caplin came to Norway in 1989, having been offered a position as a choral pedagogue at Toneheim Folk High School and the Teacher Training College in Hamar. He has remained there ever since, developing the subject of choral conducting into something more than conducting alone.
Caplin has specialized in the psychological and pedagogical aspects of choral leadership, paired with more traditional perspectives and a strong focus on broad competence development within choral conducting.
As a composer and arranger, he has made a name for himself both nationally and internationally, and he masters both classical and rhythmic genres in his compositional work. Through his research project, the vocal group Nordic Blue, he has immersed himself in the intersection between classical and rhythmic traditions. It is especially within the rhythmic field that he has developed methods for the ordinary choir, while still keeping one foot firmly in the classical tradition.
His e-book on choral conducting, A holistic approach to choral leadership, is used worldwide today within modern choral leadership, and he is frequently engaged as an adjudicator at choral competitions and as a guest conductor, particularly abroad.
Caplin’s own choir, Defrost Youth Choir, has distinguished itself both in Norway and internationally as a youth ensemble of exceptionally high standard, which has been recognized by the Norwegian Arts Council through many years of support for the ensemble.
