Before the lights go up on Hooray for Hollywood, here’s a sneak peek at one of the stars of the night… the timpani 🎬🥁
Did you know John Williams’ film scores are some of the most challenging for a timpanist? Rapid pitch changes, split-second precision, and huge cinematic moments… and our own Tom Schmidt makes it look effortless.
Catch him playing this Friday at Hooray for Hollywood—and keep an eye out for a special feature on Tom in our Hometown Holiday program!
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Home for the rest of the month playing for Come From Away. I remember taking a trip to Gander, Newfoundland just two years before 9/11. Incredibly friendly and good hearted people up there. Come check out their story from twenty four years ago.
MEET THE ARTIST—Tom Schmidt
Co-recipient of The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for his work with the Juventas New Music Ensemble, Tom Schmidt is one of the Boston areas prominent free-lance percussionists and educators. Growing up in Massachusetts, Tom began his musical journey playing the drums and guitar in the local garage band scene of 90’s suburban Massachusetts. Upon majoring in music in college, he fell in love with orchestral percussion and classical music. His diverse musical background and passion for education has paved the way to a rewarding life in music which he does not take for granted.
Tom has performed with; The Boston Philharmonic, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Handel and Haydn Society, Portland Symphony, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Vista Philharmonic (formerly Indian Hill Symphony), New Bedford Symphony, and The Brevard Music Centers Faculty Orchestra. A regular down in the pit orchestra, he has played for The 75th Anniversary Tour of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, The Boston Lyric Opera, various tours with the New England Opera, and the National Lyric Opera.
As a versatile percussionist with a background on the only truly American instrument, Tom has been the drum-set player for countless musicals in the New England area. Tom has also performed with new music ensembles ALEA III, Juventas, and Dinosaur Annex. He can often be found in orchestras assembled for various local choruses, such as Masterworks Chorale, Harvard- Radcliff Chorus, The Back Bay Chorale, Boston Celia, Coro Allegro, Chorus ProMusica, The Brookline Chorus, and The Newburyport Chorale. Tom received his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from The University of Maine, and his Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He is currently an Associate Professor of Percussion at The Berklee College of Music. Tom is endorsed by Zildjian cymbals.
