Jan. 3, 2019
In the fall of 2013, the folks at McCreesh Place were nominating Dr. Moore for a community service award. He didn’t win that award, but the nomination essay is a pretty fair overall picture of Dr. Moore’s life of service.
Nomination of
Dr. Thomas Moore
For the Housing Opportunity Foundation
2013 Humanitarian Award
“Dr. Thomas Moore has provided hundreds of hours to Supportive Housing Communities (SHC)/McCreesh Place by helping to build a unique community engagement experience through the joy of song and music. Supportive Housing Communities provides permanent supportive housing to men and women who are disabled and formerly homeless. He lives in Charlotte and teaches at Benedict College in South Carolina, traveling to Charlotte every Thursday to lead and direct the “Tuned In” choir – a community building choir that brings together people from every segment of Charlotte at McCreesh Place. His tireless efforts and support of the Tuned In Choir have helped to provide the necessary support bridge for SHC residents – many who have struggled with isolation and depression. Dr. Moore has also led the Tuned In Choir in various community performances – most recently at CarolinaFest during the Democratic National Convention.
“Dr. Thomas Moore is nationally recognized as an early childhood consultant, author and children’s recording artist. From a keynote address to 1200 k-12 teachers at Harvard University, to a study tour of child care in China, to teacher-training workshops in Nigeria, St. Croix and Germany, to a solo voice recital at Carnegie Recital Hall, Dr. Moore creates learning experiences that educate and encourage those who teach young children.
“Moore earned a Bachelor of Music from Manhattan School of Music, a Master of Education and a Ph.D. in Elementary Education with specialization in Early Childhood from Indiana State University. After graduating, he worked as Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Southern Mississippi, Associate Professor of Child and Family Studies at Georgia Southern University and coordinator of the North Carolina Head Start Collaboration Project. Currently, he is Associate Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Benedict College in Columbia, SC.
“Dr. Moore spends much of his life working with children, the elderly and civic groups. For over 45 years, he has assisted Charlotte in efforts to become the community that celebrates all of its citizens. He was a volunteer and/or performer during the beginnings of many arts and civic efforts of this city. Those efforts include volunteering and later, teacher at The Community School of the Arts during its first 10 years of existence, volunteer performer in the first production of the CPCC Summer Theater, featured performer in the Junior League follies (1970’s), volunteered and performed at Spirit Square during its inaugural season, the opening of Carowinds (music director of the WBTV and Carowinds TV special during its inaugural season), performed and emceed at Festival in the Park (1967-73), and Dilworth Jubilee (MC and performer ’70 – 82).
“At the age of 18, Thomas Moore conducted and performed with a regional 125 voice multi-racial patriotic youth group, The Sounds of America (’66-’73). He founded and directed the Bethlehem Center Youth Choir (’75-’85), performed the roles of Papageno in “The Magic Flute” and Escamillio in “Carmen” (CPCC Opera Theatre- the inaugural season ’98 – ’99). Dr. Moore was a volunteer for Presbyterian Hospital’s Children’s Christmas Program and Chaplain’s Office in the 1980’s. He created, personally funded and volunteered for the Charlotte’s only New Year’s Eve show for children and families from 1979 – 2009. He was the volunteer music director for Siegle Avenue Presbyterian Church for many years and for twelve years shared his musical talents on the piano at all of the Charlotte Rotary meetings, also chairing the music committee and serving on the Board of Directors.
“Dr. Moore created the first City-wide, Interfaith Thanksgiving choir and helped found Charlotte’s International Peace Day celebration. He volunteered for over 20 years as mentor for students at the Clara Jones Piano Studio. On September 9, 2011, Dr. Moore was asked to sing the baritone solo for Rene Clausen’s “Memorial”, a choral piece written to commemorate the attack on September 11, 2001. This piece was performed with 150 singers and 40 piece orchestra during our community-wide service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
“Charlotte continues to place a high priority on building trust among races and on bridging differences among its citizens. Dr. Moore has dedicated his time, his talents, his resources, and his gentle spirit to bringing people together, encouraging conversation, and building a community where all are important, honored and welcome. He has been and continues to be a staunch advocate for children, encouraging the community to show its support of children in tangible ways that positively affect their lives and their safety. He has helped people find their voice by encouraging them to participate in a community building choir where “all voices are welcome”. He continues to place a high priority on arts and music participation rather than music performance for a select few.
“Dr. Moore’s honors and awards include Charlotte JC’s Young Man of the Year, WBTV’s Jefferson Award, The Rotary International Four Avenues of Service citation, Charlotte NAACP Humanitarian Award, Indiana State University Distinguished Alumni Award and North Carolina Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service in the Lifetime Achievement category. In 1985, Governor Jim Martin honored him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award. However, his most prized honor is the “Angel Among Us” award, presented by a kindergarten through 2nd grade class in Laurinburg, North Carolina.
“For 45 years, Dr. Moore has volunteered his serves in at least 100 houses of worship, nursing homes, civic groups and nonprofits throughout this region. He has a special way of bridging differences and encouraging trust through music. There is new research on the benefits of singing and showing that singing together builds health, trust, and cooperative relationships between people. Dr. Moore has brought hundreds of people together in the Greater Charlotte community, giving people with differences – young and old, black and white, differing faiths, homeless individuals and community leaders, men and women – an opportunity to share experiences and gain understanding. He leads collaboratively, sharing power, honoring all people, giving all a seat at the table. He is indeed a community hero!”