Mark Guthrie, owner of Precision Classic Timpani, is beginning work on my old Hinger bowls. These bowls were renovated by Steve Schiffer at D. Picking. Mark will be installing his chain mechanism on all four kettles. Click on the photo if a larger image is desired.
Eventually, these Hinger bowls with the Guthrie chain mechanism, will look like this . . . [movie is 693k].
Peter Flamm, Principal Timpanist with the San Antonio Symphony, visits the Tafoya household (December 2004).
Mr. Fernando Hashimoto presented a percussion clinic on November 17th, 2004 at the University of Maryland, offering a "hands-on" class on the Brazilian Samba. His recital included works for snare drum, marimba and timpani by Brazilian composers.
Tony Ames (principal percussion, NSO) and John Tafoya pose for a backstage photo with their students before a concert featuring Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe.
The National Symphony Orchestra just completed a week-long residency at the University of Maryland School of Music. The week culminated in two performances; one at the Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts (College Park, MD) and the second concert at the Kennedy Center.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Timpani/Percussion Section: Dean Borghesani, Tom Wetzel, Matthew Strauss, Bob Keshevski, David Gross, and Linda Seigel. The Berlioz Requiem uses 18 timpani!!
Check out the September 7, 2003 article in the Seattle Times; "Symphony Profiles: Key Players" - HERE.
Mike's personal website can be found at: http://members.tripod.com/cruso2k/.
A GREAT time at Mel Krupins on August 12th. This is Fred Begun's favorite lunch hangout. Great food and an opportunity for us all to "talk shop." From Left to Right: Dean Borghesani, John Tafoya, Joe McIntyre and Fred Begun.
Read the full story in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper online, here or in the Miami Herald, here.
Both masterclasses were part of the National Symphony Orchestra's North Dakota Residency Program.
I met with professor Mike Blake and his terrific students at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Several students performed works on marimba and snare drum and we also discussed some general timpani techniques. I had a great time!
I also enjoyed meeting with the percussion students at Minnesota State University. A couple of students played some solo pieces and orchestral excerpts. Special thanks to Kenyon Williams, professor of percussion at MSU.
There is a feature article on George Gaber along with photos including one with Yours Truly in it!
New Timpani from American Drum Manufacturing Company (Walter Light) arrived at the Kennedy Center on March 28th, 2004.
This photo was taken after a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony at the Hemmens Theater in Elgin, Illinois on May 4th, 2003.
The timpani and percussion section of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra (from left to right): Bobby Everson, Andrew Simco, Rich Janecke, Brian Oriente, George Blanchet, and Tina Keitel.
Check them out at:
http://www.johntafoya.com/repertoire.html and http://www.johntafoya.com/video.html
Members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Timpani/Percussion section (performing Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique).
From left to right: Tom Wetzel, Linda Seigel, Joe Conte and Dean Borghesani.
Send me your photos! Perhaps your section will be in the April photo of the month . . !
Thanks Again to Grover Pro Percussion (Neil Grover), American Drum Manufacturing Company (Marshall Light) and Remo (Lloyd McCausland) for sponsoring my FIRST PASIC Timpani clinic.
I had a terrific time!
Thank you also to Jay R. and Mike R. for help in setting up and moving equipment, etc.
Photos from the tour can be viewed HERE.
The Washington Post review of our Carnegie Hall performances can be viewed HERE and the New York Times review can be found HERE.
Yours truly and Shawn Pelton, drummer with the Saturday Night Live Band, both performed in the "Concert for America" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The program was taped on Monday, 9/9/02 and will air on NBC on the evening of September 11th. Both of us were at Indiana University together as percussion majors.
To check out his website click HERE.
Click HERE to read the article.
The University of Maryland Summer Drum Set Symposium was a terrific success! Afternoon clinics were offered by drumset artists Steve Fidyk, Danny Gottlieb and Joe Morello. Over 60 people were in attendance. A free evening performance was also given by the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Band with Steve Fidyk, Danny Gottlieb and Joe Morello on drums. Sponsored by Drum Workshop, Sabian, Pro-Mark, Remo, Zildjian and Ludwig. Special thanks to Mike Sparrow!
Here I am in front of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Click HERE for the full photo gallery.
Grover Pro Percussion officially unveiled a large selection of high quality Vancore mallet keyboards and timpani at PASIC 2002 in Nashville, TN.
Based in Joure-Holland, Vancore is an established manufacturer of high quality percussion products. Their experienced team of designers and professional
percussionists are devoted to building instruments of impeccable sound and leading edge design.
For more information on these instruments please visit the Grover Pro Percussion website at www.groverpro.com/.
http://www.remo.com/artists/details.cfm?ArtistID=899.
Here is Keith at the University of Maryland meeting with percussion majors Stephen and Marty.
Keith is a percussionist with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and Director of Percussion at Florida International University. He spends his summers on the faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan.
Check out Keith's web site HERE.
I also stopped by Indiana University for a fun evening at "Bears" - the local restaurant/hang out. Special "thanks" to Todd Sheehan for "hosting" my visit in Evansville!
Robert Parris: Timpani Concerto
More Drums!
"FIELD-STRIPPING" I have just purchased some used Hinger Touch-Tone timpani. Each drum was taken apart and cleaned, re-lubricated and painted (touch up). Eventually, these instruments will be retrofitted with larger bowls from Marshall Light (American Drum). More photos of these drums can be found HERE.
New Chain Drum!
My new 20" Chain Drum arrived a few weeks ago from American Drum Manufacturing Company in Denver, Colorado. Among the newer features is a fairly accurate tuning gauge located on one of the tension rod tops.
Harmonic Rhythm by Russell Peck
I will be one of several timpani soloists performing a new timpani concerto by Russell Peck this season. My first performance is with the Columbus Symphony (Columbus, GA) on October 14, 2000 and a second engagement with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra (Allentown, PA) in April 2001.
Putting on new timpani heads
This past summer I had some spare time to fool around with various timpani heads. I first tried the new Evans Symphonic timpani heads - they have a nice rounded insert ring and the tuck is very tight. Then I put on some Renaissance (pretty aren't they?) heads and finally decided to stay with the Remo plastic heads (hazy).
Designed by Tony Ames, principal percussionist, National Symphony Orchestra
For use in Copland's "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo
The TIMPANI-CAM was a great success as well - allowing the audience to see what my hands and mallets were doing.
[please wait for the movie to load . . .]
Check out their new website at: http://www.designmktinc.com/precision/index.htm
Tony Ames, principal percussionist with the NSO, needed to grab a bass bow quickly after playing snare drum. The photo shows his inventive set-up: duct tape and a bent coat hanger attached to the snare drum.
I was recently the victim of an elaborate practical joke from a friend of mine in south Florida.
You can enjoy this prank by clicking HERE.
Click here to read the article.
The current issue of Percussive Notes magazine features my article on timpani auditions. PAS members can check out the issue online at www.pas.org or read it on my website HERE.
Since getting the correct replacement timpani head sizes can be a bit tricky I have added a few suggestions on my web site. This new article can be found at http://www.johntafoya.com/headsize.html.
Really OLD Archives:
Fernando Hashimoto
Percussion Clinic and
Recital at the
University of MarylandNSO Residency at the University of Maryland
Berlioz: Requiem
Mike Crusoe
Principal Timpanist, Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Lunch at Headquarters!
On a more grim note . . .
"Fund-raisers give up hope of saving Florida Philharmonic"
New Timpani Concerto
Composer, Russell Peterson (Concordia College) has written a three-movement timpani concerto. Premiered by Dr. David P. Eyler and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra in April, 2002, sound files (excerpts) of this concerto can be found HERE.
Timpani/Percussion Masterclasses at Minnesota State University
and at the University of North Dakota
Check out the July issue of the Not So Modern Drummer magazine. New Timpani Arrive for the NSO!!
A set of five Mark XIVs: 32", 29", 26", 24", 20".
Photo of the Month
New Sound and Video
I have uploaded some new sound and video files (taken from a recent faculty recital at the University of Maryland). Photo of the Month
PASIC 2002
Check out additional photos HERE ! 
NSO Returns from
The NSO has just returned from New York City; performing two concerts at Carnegie Hall on October 30 and 31.
NYC/Carnegie HallA mini-IU Alumni Reunion
My good friend, Keith Aleo, percussionist with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, stopped by for a visit.
"For U-Md.'s Arts Center, A Warm Round of Applause"
The Washington Post recently wrote a terrific article about the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. 
John at the Concertgebouw
I finally developed a roll of film that had some photos taken during the National Symphony Orchestra's European tour. 
Congratulations to Netherlands Radio Orchestra timpanist Nick Woud!!
Beginning on 1/1/2003 he will share the position as solo timpanist (with Marinus Komst) with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Light Drums Delivered at the University of Maryland!
The university's last shipment of timpani arrived today. A full set of 5 Mark XIV timpani. Guest Book!
Your comments regarding this web site are always welcome. Click HERE to sign in!
Missing Timpano
Missing from The Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio
A 30 inch diameter timpano, with Berliner-style pedal (Ringer type) extremely heavy, maroon painted frame, burnished kettle with dark purple drop cover. Built in early 1950's in Germany. Contact: Paul Yancich by e-mail @ megepaul@aol.com or Johnathon Martin, General Manager, The Cleveland Orchestra, (216) 321-7343
Vancore Mallet Keyboards & Timpani
Remo Web Page
The Remo web page was updated this past week and includes yours truly at:
Keith Aleo
My good friend Keith Aleo recently stopped by for a visit.
A trip down Memory Lane
I recently took a trip down memory lane while on vacation this summer. I visited Evansville, Indiana - home of my first job (Evansville Philharmonic and University of Evansville) out of college. Virtual Recitals
Click HERE to catch a virtual recital!
Timpani Concertos?
I've received a couple of Emails lately about recommendations for timpani concertos. I'm going to list a few here and if anyone has other recommendations PLEASE Email me!
Walter Kaufman: Concertino for Timpani
Werner Tharichen: Timpani Concerto
Jorge Saramientos: Concertino for Timpani
Peck: "Harmonic Rhythm"
James Oliverio: Concerto No. 1, "Olympian"
Donald White: Concertino for Timpani
Peter Tanner: Concerto for Timpani and Brass
Avshalomov: "G.F. Salomon Timpani Concerto"
Farberman: Concerto for Timpani
Stephen Gerber: Concerto for Timpani
Wm Kraft: Concerto for Timpani
Sam Raphling: Concerto for Timpani
Andrez Panufnik: Concertino for Timpani
and Percussion
Timpani Tuners?
Some people have asked me if I have a preference for electronic tuners. I actually have two tuners; a Peterson strobe tuner and a portable tuner made by Arion (model HU-8400). Here is a picture of the Arion tuner - originally designed for bass guitars, this tuner picks up the low frequencies quite well. Specific information on this tuner can be found at http://www.wheatonmusic.com/arion.htm.
Innovative Instrument Designs
The "Hoe-Down-a-phone"
Day of Percussion Timpani Clinic
a Success!!
THANK YOU to everyone who assisted me (especially Marshall Maley, Ken Harbison and Mark Latimer) and to those who attended my timpani clinic. I had a great time! 
Here's a View from the TIMPANI-CAM!
Timpani Head Trunk
King Kong Kases has made a TERRIFIC timpani head trunk for the National Symphony Orchestra. The trunk is used to store approximately 15-20 spare timpani heads. For more information on King Kong Kases, contact Buz King at 1 (800) 776-1525 or check out their web site at http://musicyellowpage.com/kngkng.htm.
Video Camera Scaffold
Since most of us in the audience can't see a performer's hands during clinics and masterclasses I have designed a transportable scaffold that holds a video camera up about 9 feet above and behind the player. When connected to a couple of TV monitors, people sitting far away or beneath the performer will be able to see what the performer is doing. I plan to "unveil" this contraption at the VA/DC PAS Chapter's Day of Percussion on April 1, 2000.
Precision Classic Timpani
Precision Classic Timpani has been producing quality chain timpani since
1984. Mark Guthrie, timpanist and owner of Precision Classic Timpani
has developed a smooth working chain drive system. This along with a
proven bowl design gives the performer the ultimate in sound and
reliability. Chosen for their sound by many orchestras, these instruments
have earned critical acclaim for their warmth and rhythmic clarity. Many
orchestras and universities are already enjoying the portability and sound
that put these instruments in a class by themselves.
Introducing . . the Tony Ames "Quick Draw" Bow!
The NSO recently performed several new works at the Kennedy Center: Zwilich's Symphony No. 1, Tower's Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman and a new flute concerto by Libby Larsen.
Peck Review
I performed Russell Peck's new timpani concerto, entitled "Harmonic Rhythm", with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra on April 21st. Click HERE to see the review.
The University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center has been featured in a recent Washington Post newspaper article.
Percussive Notes Article Published
Timpani Head Sizes
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