John R. Beck, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, also teaches at Wake Forest University. He is the principal percussionist of the Winston-Salem Symphony and is a member of the Greensboro Symphony, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the Philidor Percussion Group. A former member of the United States Marine Band, for 10 years he performed regularly with the National and Baltimore Symphonies, Washington and Baltimore Operas, and the Theater Chamber Players of the Kennedy Center. Beck has toured the United States as a xylophone soloist with the Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the New Sousa Band. John is a Past President of the Percussive Arts Society and presents clinics endorsing Yamaha percussion instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Innovative mallets, and is a Remo Endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator in the Health and Wellness community.
In this episode, John talks about:
- What it means to play credibly
- How his thoughts on versatility vs. specialization have evolved
- Questioning the relevance of knowing how to read a big band chart
- How getting good at drumset gives percussionists a better sense of internal time
- The advantages and baggage that came with being John Beck’s son
- Valuing sound over everything, regardless of instrument or genre
- His time as president of PAS and helping the organization become more inclusive and outward-looking
