Tom Sherwood

Tom Sherwood joined the percussion section of The Cleveland Orchestra in 2015.  He previously served as principal percussion of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra from 1999-2015, under the direction of Robert Spano. Prior to joining the ASO, he was a fellow at the New World Symphony for three seasons. A native of Fairfax, Virginia, he earned degrees from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and Temple University. Tom spent two influential summers as a student at the Aspen Music Festival and is a proud alumni. He is currently the director of the Cleveland Institute of Music's percussion ensemble program, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan since 2016. Having a strong interest in the education and support of young percussionists, Tom started the Modern Snare Drum Competition in 2008. The annual event attracts students from all over the country and has led to the commission of more than 25 new works for the snare drum. He can be heard on over 30 recordings with The Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony.