John H. Beck (1933- )
John
H. Beck has been a member of the faculty at the Eastman School of
Music since 1959. He received his bachelor’s degree (1955) and
master’s degree (1962), as well as Performer’s Certificate from
Eastman. He retired from Eastman in 2008 and continues as Professor
Emeritus of Percussion and teaches a class in The History of
Percussion. Beck’s career as a performer and teacher includes
posts as percussionist, timpanist, marimba soloist with the United
States Marine Band (1955-59); principal percussionist with the
Rochester Philharmonic (1959-62); and timpanist for the Rochester
Philharmonic (1962-2002). He has made numerous solo appearances,
including performances with the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Philharmonia
Orchestra, Syracuse Wind Ensemble, Chautauqua Band, Rochester Chamber
Orchestra, Corning Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Memphis State Wind
Ensemble, Pennsylvania Festival Band, and Filharmonia Pomorska,
Poland. Other engagements have included, the faculty of the Grand
Teton Orchestra Seminar, conductor of the Penfield Symphony, performer,
clinician, teacher, and conductor for the International Workshops for
Percussion in Bydgoszcz, Poland; adjudicator for the International
Percussion Competition in Luxembourg; the Japan Music Education and
Culture Promotion in Tokyo, Japan; Timpani Competition, Paris, France
and Snare Drum Competition, Atlanta, Georgia. He was percussionist in
residence at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark; the
Royal Northern Academy of Music in Manchester, England, the Interlochen
Center for the Arts Summer Program and Rowan University, NJ. Clinician
for the International Foundation for Performing Arts Medicine, New
Jersey; soloist and instructor at the Encontro Latino Americanos De
Percussao in Santa Maria, Brazil; instructor, clinician, adjudicator
and performer for the Giornate della Percussione Competition in Fermo,
Italy; Kosa International Percussion Workshops in Vermont;
International Forum of Percussion in Zagan, Poland; Crossdrummig
Percussion Festival in Warsaw, Poland; Lithuanian Academy of Music and
Theatre, Vilnius, Lithuania; 10th Anniversary of Neopercusion, Madrid,
Spain; National Youth Orchestra, Seville, Spain and the International
Percussion Workshops in Croatia. He has also toured Russia with 14
percussionists from the Percussive Arts Society. As a conductor,
Beck has appeared with the Eastman Percussion Ensemble (1962-2008); in
a tour of South America with the Aeolian Consort as percussion soloist
(1977); and has participated in numerous guest conducting and
percussion clinics in the United States and Europe. Articles by
Beck have been published in Music Journal, The Instrumentalist,
Woodwind World, Brass and Percussion, and Percussive Notes; he was also
percussion columnist for the National Association of College Wind and
Percussion Instructors (NACWPI) Journal (1965-72). He has also
contributed articles to the Grove Dictionary of American Music and the
World Book Encyclopedia. Carl Fischer, Boston Music, Kendor Music,
Meredith Music, MCA, Wimbledon Music, Inc., Studio 4 Productions, and
CPP Belwin have published his compositions. His Encyclopedia of
Percussion is in its second edition and is published by Routledge. He
has served as state chairman for percussion, New York State School
Music Association (NYSSMA, 1970-72); president of the New York State
Percussive Arts Society (1976-82); national second vice president
(1982-84), first vice president (1984-86), and president of the
national Percussive Arts Society (1987-90). Among the honors Beck
has received include being named the Mu Phi Epsilon Musician of the
Year (1976); the Monroe County School Music Association Award (1996);
Eastman’s Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching (1997); and the
Arts and Cultural Council of Greater Rochester Award for contributions
to the arts (1999). He was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society
Hall of Fame in 1999. The Percussive Arts Society presented him
with an Outstanding Service Award (2002). At Eastman's 2003
Commencement, he was awarded the Edwin Peck Curtis Award for excellence
in undergraduate teaching. The Commission Project presented him with
the JD Award for outstanding service to music education in 2004.
Since retirement in 2008, he has been awarded the Distinguished Service
Award from the New York State School Music Association (2009),
The President’s Award from Rowan University (2010), the Lifetime
Achievement Award from KOSA International Percussion (2010) and the
Life Time Achievement Award from Giornate della Percussione, Fermo,
Italy (2010).COMPOSITIONS John H. Beck Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre ~ ~ ~ Beck on Beck
Sonata For Timpani (1969; pub. 1971)
Rhapsody For Percussion [4 timpani, 4 tom-toms, snare drum, drum set] and Band (1970)
Jazz Variants, percussion ensemble (8 players) (1971) [Grade 5]
Colonial Capers, field drum (1975) [Grade 5]
Colonial Drummer, field drum (1975) [Grade 4]
Overture For Percussion Ensemble (8 players) (1976) [Grade 5]
Episode For Solo Percussion [xylophone, bells, roto toms, gongs and metal pipes] (1977)
Concerto For Drum Set and Percussion Ensemble (soloist and 7 players) (1979)
Canto IX, multiple percussion solo [5 timpani, 6 roto-toms] (pub. 1979) [Grade 5] [co-composed with/Samuel Adler]
Episodes For Percussion Trio (3 players on an assortment of percussion instruments) (1980)
Three Episodes, timpani and piano (1 player) (1980) [Grade 6]
Triptych Motif, 4 timpani (1 player) (1983) [Grade 6]
Concerto for Timpani and Percussion Ensemble (soloist and 5 players) (1984) [Grade 6]
Alpine Slide, timpani solo (1985) [Grade 4]
Grand Teton, timpani solo (1985) [Grade 3]
Jazz Miniature, percussion ensemble (6 players) (1985) [Grade 2]
Little March, percussion ensemble (6 players) (1985) [Grade 2]
Snake River, timpani solo (1985) [Grade 3+]
Three Movements For Five Timpani (1985)
Latin Fantasy, percussion ensemble (6 players) (1986) [Grade 2]
Advanced Solos For Snare Drum (1990) [Grade 5-6]
Colonial Episode, field drum (1991) [Grade 4]
Interactions, timpani and sound (1 player) (1996) [Grade 6]
Modulations, timpani solo (1996) [intermediate]
Motives, timpani solo and piano (1997) [Grade 4]
Reminiscences of IPCL, marimba (1 player) (pub. 1997) [grade 3-4] [in collection: "7 Stücke for Marimba"]
In The Pocket, 4 drum sets (1999) [Grade 6]
In and Out of the Pocket, 4 drum sets (2001) [Grade 5]
Four to One, duet for timpani and snare drum (2001)
Cross Over March, timpani solo (2001) [Grade 4]
G-Force, 3 field drums (3 players) (2001) [Grade 4]
Istra, multiple percussion solo (1 player) (2001) [Grade 4]
The Hallelujah Chorus (Handel), 4 marimbas, bells, xylophone, vibes, timpani, chimes, snare drum, cymbals and bass drum (2001)
Puttin’ On The Ritz (Irving Berlin), percussion ensemble (6 players) (2002) [Grade 4+]
The Inverted Pyramid, multiple percussion solo (1 player) (2003) [Grade 3+]
10 Intermediate Snare Drum Solos (2003) [Grade 3-4]
10 Intermediate Timpani Solos (2003) [Grade 3-4]
Fanfare for the Common Percussionist, percussion ensemble (6 players) (2005)
Rhythmitis, multiple percussion soloist and percussion quartet (5 players) (2005) [Grade 5]
Tag Team, 3 field drums (3 players) (2005) [Grade 4+]
The Jury, timpani solo (2005) [Grade 5]
Three Miniatures, snare drum (2005) [Grade 5]
Big Kettles, timpani solo (2006) [Grade 2]
Dance for Timpano, 1 timpano (1 player) (2006)
Festival Snare Drum Duets, 2 snare drums (2 players) (2006) [Grade 3-4]
Waltz Time, percussion ensemble (6 players) (pub. 2006) [Grade 2]
Sixes, snare drum duet (2 players) (2006) [Grade 4]
Sixty Eight, snare drum duet (2 players) (2006) [Grade 3+]
Syncopated Diddles, snare drum (2006) [Grade 5]
Andiamo, percussion quartet (4 players) (2008) [Grade 5]
Snare And Rim, snare drum (2008) [Grade 4/medium-advanced]
Fragments, timpani solo (2009) [Grade 5]
Percussion Essentials: A Practical Manual for Music Educators, instructional method (2010)
A Few Moments of Fun, percussion duet [I: bongos, timbales, timpani; II: 4 tom-toms, timpani] (2011) [Grade 5+]
Mani Volanti for Luigi Morelo, multiple percussion soloist and percussion trio (2011)
WORKS BY GENRE John H. Beck Links ~ ~ ~ Beck on Beck ~ top of page ~
Band
Rhapsody For Percussion [4 timpani, 4 tom-toms, snare drum, drum set] and Band (1970)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra or Band or Ensemble
Rhapsody For Percussion [4 timpani, 4 tom-toms, snare drum, drum set] and Band (1970)
Concerto For Drum Set and Percussion Ensemble (soloist and 7 players) (1979)
Concerto for Timpani and Percussion Ensemble (soloist and 5 players) (1984) [Grade 6]
Rhythmitis, multiple percussion soloist and percussion quartet (5 players) (2005) [Grade 5]
Mani Volanti for Luigi Morelo, multiple percussion soloist and percussion trio (2011)
Chamber
Episodes For Percussion Trio (3 players on an assortment of percussion instruments) (1980)
Motives, timpani solo and piano (1997) [Grade 4]
Four to One, duet for timpani and snare drum (2001)
G-Force, 3 field drums (3 players) (2001) [Grade 4]
Tag Team, 3 field drums (3 players) (2005) [Grade 4+]
Festival Snare Drum Duets, 2 snare drums (2 players) (2006) [Grade 3-4]
Sixes, snare drum duet (2 players) (2006) [Grade 4]
Sixty Eight, snare drum duet (2 players) (2006) [Grade 3+]
A Few Moments of Fun, percussion duet [I: bongos, timbales, timpani; II: 4 tom-toms, timpani] (2011) [Grade 5+]
Solo Percussion
Sonata For Timpani (1969; pub. 1971)
Colonial Capers, field drum (1975) [Grade 5]
Colonial Drummer, field drum (1975) [Grade 4]
Episode For Solo Percussion [xylophone, bells, roto toms, gongs and metal pipes] (1977)
Canto IX, multiple percussion solo [5 timpani, 6 roto-toms] (pub. 1979) [Grade 5] [co-composed with/Samuel Adler]
Three Episodes, timpani and piano (1 player) (1980) [Grade 6]
Triptych Motif, 4 timpani (1 player) (1983) [Grade 6]
Alpine Slide, timpani solo (1985) [Grade 4]
Grand Teton, timpani solo (1985) [Grade 3]
Snake River, timpani solo (1985) [Grade 3+]
Three Movements For Five Timpani (1985)
Advanced Solos For Snare Drum (1990) [Grade 5-6]
Colonial Episode, field drum (1991) [Grade 4]
Interactions, timpani and sound (1 player) (1996) [Grade 6]
Modulations, timpani solo (1996) [intermediate]
Reminiscences of IPCL, marimba (1 player) (pub. 1997) [grade 3-4] [in collection: "7 Stücke for Marimba"]
Cross Over March, timpani solo (2001) [Grade 4]
Istra, multiple percussion solo (1 player) (2001) [Grade 4]
The Inverted Pyramid, multiple percussion solo (1 player) (2003) [Grade 3+]
10 Intermediate Snare Drum Solos (2003) [Grade 3-4]
10 Intermediate Timpani Solos (2003) [Grade 3-4]
The Jury, timpani solo (2005) [Grade 5]
Three Miniatures, snare drum (2005) [Grade 5]
Big Kettles, timpani solo (2006) [Grade 2]
Dance for Timpano, 1 timpano (1 player) (2006)
Syncopated Diddles, snare drum (2006) [Grade 5]
Snare And Rim, snare drum (2008) [Grade 4/medium-advanced]
Fragments, timpani solo (2009) [Grade 5]
Marimba
Reminiscences of IPCL, marimba (1 player) (pub. 1997) [grade 3-4] [in collection: "7 Stücke for Marimba"]
Percussion Ensemble
Jazz Variants, percussion ensemble (8 players) (1971) [Grade 5]
Overture For Percussion Ensemble (8 players) (1976) [Grade 5]
Concerto For Drum Set and Percussion Ensemble (soloist and 7 players) (1979)
Episodes For Percussion Trio (3 players on an assortment of percussion instruments) (1980)
Concerto for Timpani and Percussion Ensemble (soloist and 5 players) (1984) [Grade 6]
Jazz Miniature, percussion ensemble (6 players) (1985) [Grade 2]
Little March, percussion ensemble (6 players) (1985) [Grade 2]
Latin Fantasy, percussion ensemble (6 players) (1986) [Grade 2]
In The Pocket, 4 drum sets (1999) [Grade 6]
In and Out of the Pocket, 4 drum sets (2001) [Grade 5]
G-Force, 3 field drums (3 players) (2001) [Grade 4]
The Hallelujah Chorus (Handel), 4 marimbas, bells, xylophone, vibes, timpani, chimes, snare drum, cymbals and bass drum (2001)
Puttin’ On The Ritz (Irving Berlin), percussion ensemble (6 players) (2002) [Grade 4+]
Fanfare for the Common Percussionist, percussion ensemble (6 players) (2005)
Rhythmitis, multiple percussion soloist and percussion quartet (5 players) (2005) [Grade 5]
Tag Team, 3 field drums (3 players) (2005) [Grade 4+]
Waltz Time, percussion ensemble (6 players) (pub. 2006) [Grade 2]
Andiamo, percussion quartet (4 players) (2008) [Grade 5]
Mani Volanti for Luigi Morelo, multiple percussion soloist and percussion trio (2011)
Percussion Method Books and Etudes
Advanced Solos For Snare Drum (1990) [Grade 5-6]
10 Intermediate Snare Drum Solos (2003) [Grade 3-4]
10 Intermediate Timpani Solos (2003) [Grade 3-4]
Percussion Essentials: A Practical Manual for Music Educators, instructional method (2010)
JOHN H. BECK LINKS Works by Genre ~ ~ ~ Beck on Beck ~ top of page ~
Encyclopedia of Percussion (John Beck, Taylor & Francis)
An Inside View of the College Position Audition (John H. Beck, Eastman School of Music)
An Interview with John H. Beck (NAMM/National Association of Music Merchants)
John Beck Makes Sure the Beat Goes on at Eastman School of Music (Eastman School of Music)
Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame - John Beck Interview (Payton MacDonald, Percussion Arts Society)
Books
A Practical Approach to the Drum Set (MCA Music, 1967 - Out of Print)
Flams, Ruffs & Rolls for Snare Drum (Meredith Music, 1984)
Encyclopedia of Percussion (Garland Publishing, Inc., 1995)
Encyclopedia of Percussion, 2nd Edition (Routledge Publishing, 2007)
Concepts For Timpani (Carl Fischer, 2001)
Percussion Essentials – A Practical Manual For Music Educators (Almitra Music/Kendor Music, Inc., 2010)
Composer website (at Eastman School of Music) . . . contact John H. Beck: here
John H. Beck @ Classical Archives
John H. Beck @ Eastman School of Music
John H. Beck @ IMDb (Internet Movie Database)
John H. Beck @ KoSA International Percussion Workshop
John H. Beck @ Regal Tip
John H. Beck @ Yamaha Artists
John H. Beck @ Zildjian.com
Publisher
John H. Beck @ Alfred Publishing
John H. Beck @ Almitra [Kendor Music]
John H. Beck @ Belwin Mills
John H. Beck @ biNg-bang publications
John H. Beck @ Boston Music
John H. Beck @ Kendor Music
John H. Beck @ Ludwig Music Pub. Co.
John H. Beck @ Meredith Music Publications
John H. Beck @ Row-Loff Productions
John H. Beck @ Steve Weiss Music
John H. Beck @ Studio 4 Productions
John H. Beck @ Warner Brothers
John H. Beck @ Wimbledon Music
Streaming Audio
John H. Beck @ Classical Archives
John H. Beck @ NAMM/National Association of Music Merchants
Recordings
John H. Beck @ ArkivMusic
John H. Beck @ CD Universe
John H. Beck As Performer
The Virtuoso in the Computer Age, Vol. IV (Centaur Records, 1993)
- Allan Schindler: At The Edge [solo percussion and computer]
Video
John H. Beck @ YouTube also here
John H. Beck @ Google Video
~ top of page ~
Beck on Beck: Interview/Natl' Assoc. of Music MerchantsOn Composing (VIDEO)
Composers
Speak on the Web at Pytheas~ click on composer picture to listen ~
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