Thomas Janson received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1975. He taught composition and music theory at the Kent State University School of Music from 1980 to 2015. He has been a recipient of the Charles E. Ives award and a fellow of the National Endowment for Arts. His solo piece for marimba and vibraphone, titled Sidecar, will challenge advanced players with its rhythmic complexity and wide range of extended techniques.