Mr. Thomas Shafer joined the Pieper High School Band of Warriors faculty in 2024 as Associate Director of Bands. In his role, he leads visual instruction for the marching band, conducts the Concert Band (Purple), assists with all concert ensembles, and directs the Band of Warriors Jazz Program.

Since arriving at Pieper, Mr. Shafer has made a strong impact across multiple areas of the program. Under his leadership, the Concert Band earned Superior ratings in Sight-Reading at the 2025 UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation. The Band of Warriors Jazz Ensemble also debuted under his direction, performing at festivals and earning Superior ratings, multiple Outstanding Soloist awards, and the Outstanding Trumpet Section award at the 2025 Southwest Jazz Festival. In his first year on staff, the marching band achieved its highest placement in program history, finishing 2nd at the UIL Area D Marching Contest and advancing to 17th at the UIL State Marching Contest.

Mr. Shafer brings extensive experience as both a performer and educator. He marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps from 2020 to 2022, helping the corps earn a silver medal at the 2022 DCI World Championships. He has also served as a marching technician with New Braunfels High School and Rouse High School. A passionate jazz musician, he performed with all jazz ensembles at Texas State University, appearing at the Texas Jazz Festival, Monks Jazz Club, and Parker Jazz Club, and continues to perform with the Main Street Swing Band in Bastrop, TX.

A 2024 graduate of Texas State University, Mr. Shafer earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Studies (Instrumental Concentration) with a Jazz Minor. While at TXST, he performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Ceremonial Brass, and served as Drum Major for the Bobcat Marching Band. He was recognized as a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition (Solo Division), a quarterfinalist in the Small Ensemble Division, and was the recipient of multiple honors including the TMEA Collegiate Music Educator Award, the TXST Outstanding Senior in Band Music Education Award, and designation as the 2024-2025 Texas State Presser Scholar.

Mr. Shafer is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Texas Jazz Educators Association (TJEA). Beyond the podium, he enjoys exploring new coffee shops, listening to jazz, and spending time with his corgi, Sven.