DePauw Stories

Discovering and making music has been an integral part of any child’s education in the United States, and two DePauw University music education alums are continuing to challenge and excite Indiana secondary school student musicians at the highest levels.  Once again, Douglas Elmore, '86 at Floyd Central High School and Thomas Chen '13 at Carmel High School recently led their respective orchestras to the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) state finals.

Elmore, a string bassist who has been teaching at Floyd Central since 1986, is a veteran teacher, having won the ISSMA state festival in 1995 and qualified for the state finals 34 years in a row.  He was named Indiana American String Teachers Association’s high school orchestra Teacher of the Year in 2014 and the National Federation of High School’s Outstanding Music Educator for 2012. The skills and discipline Elmore continues to teach his students leads them toward successful and productive futures, as well as developing their character, emphatically stating, “They will go make a difference in the world.”

Chen, as Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School, has brought his ensemble to the state finals both years he has been in charge of orchestras at the school, winning the state championship in 2024.  “I love seeing students develop confidence in themselves as they learn and grow,” says Chen, philosophically. “Knowing that I've had a small part in that is a rewarding experience.” A School of Music BME graduate and violist, Chen previously held the position of Assistant Director at Dobie High School in Houston, Texas before assuming his responsibilities as Director of Orchestras at Carmel.  He is a member of the American String Teachers Association and National Association for Music Education, also currently serving as Orchestra Division Chair with the Indiana Music Education Association.

Elmore’s and Chen’s leadership in music education are testaments to the scope of DePauw’s history of success of many of its music graduates.  Dr. Caroline Jetton, Director of the Institute of Music and Director of Music Teacher Education adds, "It's great to see DePauw graduates having success in their musical endeavors."