A MÚSICA CORAL DE ANTÔNIO CARLOS B. PINTO COELHO (TOM K)

Abstract

Antônio Carlos Batista Pinto Coelho (1953–2023), better known as Tom K, was a professor, choral conductor, composer, and arranger who wrote instrumental and vocal works that have been performed both in Brazil and abroad. Choral music occupies a central place in Tom K’s oeuvre, which he distinctively defined as BIS (Brief, Intense, and Simple). Between arrangements and original compositions, he produced more than one hundred pieces for choirs. The primary objective of this article is to present the composer, highlighting aspects of his life and work while describing characteristic elements of his artistic output. The study adopts a qualitative approach and involves bibliographic and documentary research, including the consultation of private archives in search of manuscripts, unpublished works, concert programs, media booklets, and photographs related to the subject of investigation. The first part addresses the biographical aspects of the composer, outlining his trajectory as a guitarist, conductor, professor, and composer-arranger. The second part focuses on his compositions, encompassing both instrumental and vocal works. This research is pioneering in nature and seeks to fill a gap in the documentation of the choral repertoire produced in the state of Paraíba. Our goal is to contribute to the preservation of Brazilian musical memory, providing support for the work of conductors and professionals in the field. The results indicate that Tom K’s choral output embraces a wide range of ensemble configurations, including both a cappella and accompanied pieces, with varying levels of technical difficulty.