Thomas Purcell, M.M
Director of Music
We are grateful to be able to announce that New York City-based violinist Thomas Purcell, M.M has joined Evolution Reentry Services as Director of Music Programs. Thomas has enjoyed a versatile career as a performer, musicologist and educator. He has performed in many prestigious concert halls around the United States and Europe. Thomas is dedicated to growth and development of contemporary music.
He is a member of The Chelsea Symphony in New York City, featured on season 2 of Mozart in the Jungle playing at Rikers Island Prison. They have since taken the full orchestra back to play at Rikers due to the powerful nature music has in giving joy to people.
Thomas is a passionate advocate of restorative justice and dedicated to helping justice-impacted individuals, their families and victims heal trauma through music. Thomas has commissioned and premiered numerous solo violin and chamber music works. As a freelance violinist, Thomas has performed in many prestigious concert halls around the United States and Europe. Dedicated to growth and development of contemporary music, Thomas has commissioned and premiered numerous solo violin and chamber music works. As a freelance violinist, Thomas performs in many shows and orchestras in the greater NYC area.
“Just like all of the classic violin concertos we all know and love, we need musicians to advocate and champion the works of today. Music is a timestamp of what is going on in the world during that particular time period. I can’t think of a better vernacular entry point into the world of classical music than through the music by living composers. To me, classical music is not the music of the past, but the music of all times. ” Being very proud to be a member of The Chelsea Symphony, Thomas believes bringing music into all correctional facilities as “Music has incredible healing and nurturing abilities. When people are incarcerated in a system meant for rehabilitation, they need access to the most universal language of humanity: music. Bringing Classical music into prisons allows inmates time and space for reflection. Classical music has the power to heal.”
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato
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