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For much of his life, a career in music was nothing but a dream for Tom Lohmuller '10. Whether playing in the school band, church, or for a private tutor, the Fort Wayne native had long envisioned himself as a "rocker."
"I really started wanting to be a famous rock star in high school," Lohmuller said. "I started playing piano in first grade, and my parents made my lessons mandatory until eighth grade. After that, I sort of changed the way I played – I guess I started playing for myself instead of for my parents or teacher. It was more fun when it wasn't required." A changed mental attitude was just the beginning of the musical journey Lohmuller would take through much of his adolescent and young adult life.
In seventh grade, Lohmuller began playing piano at the summer children's Masses at his church, Most Precious Blood. He started taking organ lessons and accompanying daily Masses at his high school, Bishop Luers, and he joined in the school's band, quickly mastering the entire low brass section, drums, saxophone, and guitar. Playing in the pep band at athletic events became one of his favorite activities, and he helped coordinate trash can percussion halftime shows to drum up crowd enthusiasm. For years, his percussion ensemble brought home gold medals at state Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) competitions.
To say that music became an undeniable force in Lohmuller’s life would be an understatement.
"I really love music, and I enjoy playing different things," he said. "In school, when I wasn't playing, I was taking computer classes. Computers and criminal justice have always been my favorite subjects, so I decided to come to SJC as a Criminal Justice major, Computer Science minor. I figured I'd keep doing music on the side – make it more of a hobby." For the duration of his freshman year, Lohmuller participated in the concert, pep, and marching bands and accompanied Sunday Masses in the Saint Joseph's Chapel, while focusing his studies in the math and social sciences.
While registering for his sophomore fall semester, Lohmuller realized he wanted more. "I had such great experiences in band and playing in church at SJC that I decided I really did want a degree in the subject," he said. He made the switch to a Music major and kept his Computer Science minor. He’s most interested in internet security and computer hackers, and is working with Assistant Professor of Computer Science Brian Capouch in securing a summer internship to set up a honey-net for Capouch's internet service provider. "It's been quite a change to go from Criminal Justice classes to Music classes," he began, "but I'm enjoying the switch. I especially love the music history classes I'm getting to take now. Really studying the old pieces has given me a brand new appreciation for them." Now, Lohmuller is a member of SJC's concert choir while continuing his involvement in the College's bands and Sunday Mass accompaniment.
Coming from a musical family, the desire to collaborate with other artists seems to run in Lohmuller's blood. His father plays the violin and fiddle in his own band, and Lohmuller is following suit: he's a member of a band called Two Days Till Tomorrow, comprised of SJC students. The group took home the title from the 2007 Battle of the Bands competition held on campus and hopes to participate in similar future events, as well. They regularly practice together on campus when their busy schedules allow.
During College breaks and vacations, he currently contributes to musical ensembles at his hometown church by playing the bass guitar during regular services, and Lohmuller continues to play piano at the summer children's Masses. He's grateful for the opportunity to regularly work alongside his mentor and idol, the pianist and musical director at Most Precious Blood, as well as branch out independently during the summer.
Lohmuller, who credits most of his musical influences to Van Halen and the classic rock genre, has been able to immerse himself in new experiences in just two years at the College. He said, "I'd always heard that SJC offers more opportunities than bigger schools, but I didn't realize the truth of that statement until I experienced it myself. Anywhere else, I'd still be a Criminal Justice major. I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without Saint Joseph's."
