The Symphonic Drummer

Martin Ansink

About this exposition

This research focuses on the drummer when sharing the stage with a symphonic orchestra. Orchestral programs that include working with a rhythm section are increasingly called upon. It takes a special set of skills to perform the drum parts at a high artistic level and drummers who can do this are limited. I extracted specific drum skills that band drummers need, interviewed the experts in the field, took lessons on the specific drum parts and observed rehearsal and concerts. This combined data gives an in-depth look into the specific relationship between the three major characters involved: the conductor, the orchestra and the drummer. Next to technical and musical skills, personal skills are important since their co-creational spirit is vital to get an optimal result. The list of parts would be endless if all the crossover and musical styles symphonic orchestras are exploring would be taken into account. I decided to limit the list to commonly programmed pieces by Gershwin and Bernstein and analyzed these drum parts for their technical and musical skills. A part of my personal search was on how to interpret the parts. I looked at the historic perspective and analyzed recordings of orchestra’s and the drummers interpretation of parts. A summary is put in Appendix B and in chapter 6 I added video and audio recordings of the experts interpretation to illustrate possibility’s. The research findings can help orchestral percussionist and drummers so the list of competent symphonic drummers can grow.

type	research exposition
keywords	drummer, symphonic orchestra, percussion, drums
date	21/04/2020
published	07/07/2025
last modified	07/07/2025
status	limited publication
copyright	Martin Ansink
license	All rights reserved
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/855921/855922
published in	KC Research Portal
portal issue	3. Internal publication

Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

The Symphonic Drummer (2025)