Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Omar Thomas is a renowned classical music and jazz composer known for his inspirational works that cover the range of human life, from immense joy to deep tragedy and everything in between. Omar's music has been performed in concert halls all over the world, and continues to move listeners with its elegant, beautiful, and clear emotional intent. Here Omar discusses his early start in music, thoughts on Black History Month, and the inspiration behind some of his most seminal works.
"I don’t believe that music just breaks down barriers; I believe that music phases through barriers as if the barriers are not even there." - Omar Thomas
00:00 Early days with soca and calypso influence growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y.
00:41 Thoughts on Black History Month
01:11 Early days exploring composition
02:10 Early jazz composer influences
03:50 Teaching and processing emotions through music
04:38 Inspiration and story behind "Of Our New Day Begun"
08:54 Other works by Omar Thomas showcasing the fullness of the Black experience
09:49 Inspiration and story behind "Caribana" and the influence of soca and calypso music
13:14 Thoughts on representation in symphonic and ensemble music and forging new pathways
14:07 The power of music to phase through barriers and move hearts
Listen to "Of Our New Day Begun" performed by Dallas Winds here:
youtu.be/sNOw034wb4k
Learn more about Omar Thomas here:
omarthomas.com
Read more from this interview with Omar including pictures of when he was growing up playing in school band and with family:
hub.yamaha.com/brand/b-artists/the-music-and-work-of-omar-thomas
To learn more about Yamaha:
usa.yamaha.com
Omar Thomas is a renowned classical music and jazz composer known for his inspirational works that cover the range of human life, from immense joy to deep tragedy and everything in between. Omar's music has been performed in concert halls all over the world, and continues to move listeners with its elegant, beautiful, and clear emotional intent. Here Omar discusses his early start in music, thoughts on Black History Month, and the inspiration behind some of his most seminal works.
"I don’t believe that music just breaks down barriers; I believe that music phases through barriers as if the barriers are not even there." - Omar Thomas
00:00 Early days with soca and calypso influence growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y.
00:41 Thoughts on Black History Month
01:11 Early days exploring composition
02:10 Early jazz composer influences
03:50 Teaching and processing emotions through music
04:38 Inspiration and story behind "Of Our New Day Begun"
08:54 Other works by Omar Thomas showcasing the fullness of the Black experience
09:49 Inspiration and story behind "Caribana" and the influence of soca and calypso music
13:14 Thoughts on representation in symphonic and ensemble music and forging new pathways
14:07 The power of music to phase through barriers and move hearts
Listen to "Of Our New Day Begun" performed by Dallas Winds here:
youtu.be/sNOw034wb4k
Learn more about Omar Thomas here:
omarthomas.com
Read more from this interview with Omar including pictures of when he was growing up playing in school band and with family:
hub.yamaha.com/brand/b-artists/the-music-and-work-of-omar-thomas
To learn more about Yamaha:
usa.yamaha.com
