Tom “TK” Kittinger
● 1965 Graduate of Fairfield High School
● 1969 Graduate from Anderson University, Indiana with a BA degree with a double major in Instrumental and Vocal Music
● 1978 Graduate Towson University with a Masters of Music Education Degree
● Member of the Music Educators National Conference of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors association, the National Education Association, and PennsylvaniaState Education Association,
● 1978 Recipient of the outstanding young men of America and a three time Nominee for Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Education
● 1969-1999 Vocal instructor at Maple Avenue Middle School and Littlestown High School He taught fifth through eighth grade general music classes, and directed six choirs From grades 5-12th grades during his 30 years of service to the district
● 1970 Formed and started the first show choir in Adams and York County. It was known as LHS swing choir and then later became known as Fantasy and the Shining Stars. He was instrumental in helping other schools in York and Adams County to start their show choirs.
● 1971-2016 He was the organist and choir Director at Bart’s Centenary United Methodist Church in Littlestown, PA
● 1975 He initiated the first Maple Avenue Middle School musical for 7th and 8th graders.
● 1980 TK organized the very first Annual Choral Festival at Littlestown High School, inviting choirs from throughout York and Adams County to participate and this event still occurs.
● 1996t-2006 Director of the Broadway show productions at Mount St. Mary’s University
● 1996-2007 Member of the Hanover Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps where he was business manager for the corps
● 2000-2012 Adjunct professor of music at Harrisburg Area Community College
● 2007-2016 Director of the Gettysburg Civic Chorus
● 2016 Posthumously inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame
● 2017 Posthumously awarded the George B Inskip Alumni award at Fairfield high school
● 2024 Posthumously inducted into the Hanover Lancers Hall of Fame
● Tom passed away on February 17, 2016. Tom was most proud of his family, his wife Denise Kittinger and their children and grandchildren; Thomas Kittinger Jr., Gina Chroniger, Kristy Lyne Kittinger and grandchildren Brianna and Camdyn Kittinger and Parker and Colton Chroniger.
Words from his nominator: Thomas W. Kittinger was one of the most influential teachers in the Littlestown School District. His accomplishments listed above shows how much he loved his job, and more importantly, how much he wanted his students to succeed. Many of his students went on to have successful music careers, either teaching or performing. One student became the CEO of a major symphony orchestra in the country, at least one other student of his received a recording contract. Other non-music career former students talk about how they learned how to work together, comfort each other and teach those who are falling behind, contributing their success to the teachings of TK. His students were his priority. He pushed each student to be the best they could be and to experience as many educational opportunities as possible. When TK was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, the amount of support he received from former students and people throughout the community was astounding. His choir at Barts Centenary United Methodist Church organized “The TK Project”. They put a call out for anyone to write something to TK in a memo or letter to help him through his chemo treatments. The choir received so many letters, a book had to be created to fit them all in. Letters came in from all over the world from former students, teachers, friends and family. Being that this book was a surprise for TK, he was extremely humbled and emotional at all of the people that participated in this project. He had tears in his eyes when he read the letters, many from people he had absolutely no idea he had affected. This is testament to how much he loved his job and the people around him. He was an extremely positive influence and role model to hundreds, maybe even thousands of young (and now older) people. Thomas W. Kittinger is a perfect candidate for the Littlestown Hall of Fame.