Timpani & Percussion

Explore the multifaceted world of timpani and percussion playing at the highest level.
Close up of the keys of a marimba being struck with batons.

The Academy’s Timpani and Percussion Department has an international reputation for outstanding training.

Our teachers include soloists, principal players and leading session musicians, all of whom understand the priorities and challenges of an ever-changing profession. The department is led by Neil Percy, Principal Percussion of the LSO.

Your employability is central to our mission – whether you come to us as an undergraduate or a postgraduate, you will develop all the skills you need for your lifelong musical and professional development through a course that offers a variety of experience across related instruments.

By focusing on a small number of talented students, we are able to provide ample resources and dedicated practice spaces, as well as a wide range of performance opportunities and projects – one of the reasons our graduates go on to have rewarding and diverse careers.  Our recent alumni include Matthew Brett and Beibei Wang.

Our ethos has always been to keep standards high and numbers relatively low. Add to this our incredible line-up of professors and the prospects of high achievement take off.

Neil Percy, Head of Timpani and Percussion

Introduction to the Timpani and Percussion Department with Neil Percy

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Our Sound

All Recordings

  1. Academy Manson Ensemble performs Andy Akiho's Speaking Tree conducted by Colin Currie

  2. Academy Percussion students perform Michael Rareshide's Sriracha

  3. Academy Symphony Orchestra Rehearses Mahler 3 Final Movement with Semyon Bychkov

Contact the department

Deciding where to study is an important decision.

We’re sure that you’ll have a lot of questions - if our website doesn’t answer them all, please don’t hesitate to contact us using the form below.