Thomas Solak

Thomas Solak studied at RDAM from 1987-1993 with principal studies in piano and music theory, and a minor subject in rhythmic improvisational music.

After many years as a teacher in various parts of the music education system, his interest has also focused on the use of IT for communication purposes, and since 1996 he has worked extensively on learning and IT in music academy education. Through a number of major FOKU (artistic research) projects, he is the originator of the teaching programmes HarmonyLab, RytmeRepetitør, DKDM-Hørelæresuite, FormIllustrator, and the “Amadeus” writings for musicological use.

Thomas is responsible for a number of teaching technologies at RDAM, and has also been one of the developers behind the Academy’s distance learning programme.

Teaching

Thomas has taught at RDAM since 1992, from 2000 as associate professor. He teaches in music theory subjects, including parts writing, analysis/communication, theory for church musicians, arrangement, instrumentation and rhythmic music theory/arrangement. Thomas is passionate about the oral and written communication of music theory, and has over the years developed a large body of material in both traditional form and for use in technology-supported teaching. In 2019, he published the book Funktionsharmonik – en guide til oplevelsesorienteret analyse (Functional harmony – a guide to experience-oriented analysis).

Artistic practice

Thomas began his musical career as a performing musician. Projects as an orchestra conductor, 15 years as an organist and extensive concert activity as a pianist and organist, including concert tours as an accompanist in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Luxembourg and France, provided him with a solid practical foundation for his later studies in music theory.

Thomas is also active as a composer and arranger in areas ranging from liturgical music to rhythmic improvisational music.