Timpani &
Head of Timpani and Percussion
Neil Percy Dip RCM, ARCM, Hon ARAM
Principal Percussionist with the London
Symphony Orchestra, and as a player
Percussion
has worked closely with many artists
and conductors including Pierre Boulez,
André Previn, Elvis Costello and John
Williams. As a soloist Neil has performed
with Sir Colin Davis, Steve Reich, Pierre
Boulez, Ravi Shankar, Karl Jenkins, Kent
Nagano and Elgar Howarth. He has given
masterclasses in Europe, the USA and
Asia, and has coached many leading
youth orchestras. Head of Department
since 2000.
The Timpani and Percussion Department Students are eligible for the Academy’s International Vibraphone Consultant
has a worldwide reputation for its provision annual Zildjian Cymbal Prizes. First prize is Joe Locke
Adam Clifford: undergraduate for students, and for its training in the $2,000 and second prize is a visit to Zildjian
(international soloist and recording artist)
‘I ’m in my fourth year at the Academy now, multi-faceted world of timpani and International in the UK, to select cymbals
and there’s nowhere I’d have rather spent percussion. The members of staff include of their choice. 2008–2009 Highlights
my first years in higher education. We do principal players with London’s leading
>
Masterclasses given by Rachel Gledhill, Joe
a lot of orchestral repertoire, which gives orchestras, international soloists, and The Royal Academy of Music is grateful for Locke, Martin France, Alan Cumberland,
all of us an extremely solid musical and leading session musicians, all of whom the generous support of Zildjian Cymbals Marinus Komst, Vic Firth and David Samuels
technical base. However, I’ve found I can are active in music making of the highest and Yamaha-Kemble UK.
>
‘An Evening with Keiko Abe’ featuring all
shape my time here enormously and I’m professional standard. students from the Timpani and Percussion
also able to immerse myself in, for Your Audition (see p.59 for general details) Department
instance, solo repertoire — a particular Orchestral training on timpani and Detailed requirements are available at
>
Latin Jazz Big Band concert featuring music
passion of mine. percussion instruments is the core www.ram.ac.uk and from the Registry. from Africa and the Balkans and involving
component, and the Academy’s range of Postgraduate students may opt to study all timpani and percussion students with
The wealth and staggering quality of orchestras and ensembles, together with its timpani only or percussion only. Stuart Hall, Dave Hassell, Paul Clarvis and
teaching for all our disciplines means that extensive collection of quality instruments Nick Smart
we’re supported strongly in everything and practice facilities, present outstanding The Teachers
we do. There is a warm and friendly opportunities for all students. Professors of Timpani Past Students
atmosphere here, and the academic and Simon Carrington GRSM, ARCM, Hon ARAM Dame Evelyn Glennie OBE (1985)
pastoral staff have always been there for Timpani and Percussion lessons are
(Principal Timpani, London Philharmonic Orchestra) International Soloist
me during the difficult periods I’ve had. complemented by regular faculty David Searcy (former Principal Timpani, La Scala Milan)
Makoto Nakura (1993)
By the time I leave here, I feel the activities such as repertoire, performance
International Soloist
Academy will have set me in good stead classes and masterclasses, together with Professor of Baroque Timpani
Colin Currie (1998)
to be a successful musician.’ chamber music coaching for percussion Benedict Hoffnung ARAM
International Soloist
ensembles and mallet groups. Areas
(Principal Timpani, London Mozart Players) Simon Lowdon (2002)
of related study include classes in Latin
Principal Percussion, RSNO
American and ethnic percussion and Professors of Percussion
Chris Ridley (2002)
drumset, emphasising rhythmic Neil Percy Dip RCM, ARCM, Hon ARAM
Principal Timpani, Royal Opera House
awareness and movement, in both solo
(Principal Percussion, London Symphony Orchestra) Mark Robinson (2005)
and ensemble situations. Simon Carrington GRSM, ARCM, Hon ARAM
Principal Percussion, Ulster Orchestra
(Principal Timpani, London Philharmonic Orchestra) Erika Ohman (2008)
The Academy has an extensive provision Stephen Quigley ARAM
Assistant Principal Timpani, Hallé
for marimba and solo percussion. Regular
(Principal Percussion, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
masterclasses from many of the world’s Andrew Barclay (Co-principal Percussion,
Academy percussion alumni perform
leading tuned percussion specialists offer
London Philharmonic Orchestra) regularly as orchestral and session players
excellent opportunities for the aspiring
all over the world.
tuned percussion student. Recent visitors Professor of Solo Repertoire
have included Keiko Abe, She-e Wu and and Concerti
‘ some outstandingly characterful
Juanjo Guillem and David Friedman. Colin Currie FRAM (international soloist)
woodwind solos and virtuoso percussion
playing… this was a highly disciplined
Eminent soloists, orchestral principals and Professor of Marimba
performance of a challenging continuous
ensemble leaders are regular visitors to Eric Sammut (international soloist)
span of music’
the Academy, and masterclasses have
The Guardian, September 2005
been given by Airto, Birger Sulsbruck, Professors of Drum Set, Latin American
Evelyn Glennie, Oladum Ensemble (Brazil), and Ethnic Percussion
Anthony Kerr, Christopher Lamb (Principal Paul Clarvis Hon ARAM
Percussion, NewYork Philharmonic),
(international soloist and recording artist)
Rainer Seegers (Principal Timpani, Berlin David Hassell Hon ARAM
Philharmonic), Peter Erskine, Joe Locke and
(session musician and renowned clinician)
Department Administrator:
Marinus Komst (Principal Timpani, Royal Amy Gardner BMus
Concertegouw Orchestra).
International Drum Set Consultant
Telephone 020 7873 7320
Peter Erskine
Email percussion@ram.ac.uk
(international soloist and recording artist)
Open Day: check www.ram.ac.uk
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