Thomas Joy
Thomas is currently LOpSoc's Chairman and former Musical Director.
Biography
Born in December 1993, Thomas is in the 3rd year of his Law degree at Southampton, and was LOpSoc's Musical Director from joining the university in September 2012 for 2 years. He began playing music at the age of 4 and is a classically trained pianist. He is also a published film composer as well as playing the clarinet, bass clarinet and organ.
After putting down the conducting baton, Thomas continued to play as a rehearsal / audition pianist, competes in mooting with the Faculty of Law and is usually found either buried in law text books or frantically trying (and usually failing) to sight read music people put in front of him.
Chairmanship
Thomas was elected Chairman of LOpSoc in March 2014 and will remain in the post until Spring 2015.
Musical Director of LOpSoc
He took over as Musical Director in September 2012, and began as MD for Double Feature 2013. He proceeded to MD Ruddigore 2013 and was MD for Ruddigore (Buxton) 2013.
In the 2013-2014 season, Thomas MDed both shows, Pirates of Penzance 2014 and Sweeney Todd 2014. Finally, he MDed Pirates of Penzance (Harrogate) 2014, his final show as Musical Director with the society.
Thomas was awarded 'Best Musical Director' at the 21st International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. He has also been nominated for a Daily Echo Curtain Call Award for Best Musical Director for Pirates of Penzance 2014.
Other Roles
Thomas is due to produce Iolanthe 2015, directed by Emma Joy and Abby Pardoe.
In the 2014/5 season, he is also due to produce Showstoppers' production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee , and Theatre Group's production of Romeo and Juliet.
In summer 2014, he also co-MDed Showstopper's 24 Hour Show.
LOpSoc Orchestra
Thomas was also responsible for reestablishing a permanent base of musicians who play for LOpSoc's productions. The LOpSoc Orchestra currently stands at over 40 members, made up of mostly music students at the University.
Notable Pairings
Thomas is LOpSoc's Diva-in-residence. Combining forces with Cerys Beesley, they form the LOpSoc Superdiva.
Thomas and Samuel Williams's bromance is the stuff of LOpSoc legend, more of which can be read here: Thomuel.
History of Roles
| Performance | Role |
|---|---|
| Iolanthe 2015 | Comedy Horn Player |
| Iolanthe 2015 | Chairman |
| Iolanthe 2015 | Producer |
| Pirates of Penzance 2014 (Harrogate) | Chairman |
| Pirates of Penzance 2014 (Harrogate) | Musical Director |
| Sweeney Todd 2014 | Chairman |
| Sweeney Todd 2014 | Musical Director |
| Pirates of Penzance 2014 | Musical Director |
| Ruddigore (Buxton) 2013 | Musical Director |
| Ruddigore 2013 | Musical Director |
| Double Feature 2013 | Musical Director |