How did you first become interested in percussion?
My family and watched Evening at Pops on TV on Sunday evenings. I was riveted by the percussion section, and when it came time to choose an instrument in school, I picked drums without hesitation. That moment set everything in motion.
When did you join the Plymouth Philharmonic?
I began playing percussion with The Phil in 1983, so this is my 43rd season. When I was a junior in college, I received a phone call from the orchestra’s personnel manager asking if I would play with them — and I’ve been here ever since.
Did you always plan to be a professional musician?
My dream was actually to become a music educator, not a gigging musician — though I’m grateful I get to do both. Teaching has always been my calling. I’m the Band Director at Sharon High School, and helping students grow into confident, expressive musicians is deeply rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I love seeing students achieve long-term results. I’m a motivator and a facilitator — my job is to teach them, guide them, and help them realize they’re capable of far more than they thought. Watching them improve, take ownership, and really express themselves is enriching from beginning to end.
Today, students often teach themselves from online resources. They’re also learning how to promote themselves, build websites, and develop their own careers, which is a big shift from 30 years ago. I make sure I keep learning too — from conferences, colleagues, and online research.
When I retire from teaching someday, I plan to spend more time exploring my own musical interests.
What’s special about the Phil’s percussion section?
Our section — Paul Gross, Dan Hann, and myself — has been together for over 20 years, and it’s a joy. We genuinely have fun, and the work is enriching. Percussion is constant problem- solving: you’re playing multiple instruments, choreographing your movements, practicing touch and timing, and always thinking about how to bring those notes alive in an artistic way.
Paul gets the music about a month ahead of time, charts it out, makes a grid, and assigns parts. We all prepare individually, then come together ready to go. We discuss and work out any questions and ideas we have to insure the notes and parts are covered and work to create one unified sound.
Percussion is a very visual part of the orchestra. Do you notice the audience watching?
Absolutely. There’s a lot of movement happening back there, and I’ve even heard from people who specifically buy seats close to the percussion section so they can watch us work. It’s flattering — and it keeps us on our toes!
Do you have favorite pieces to perform?
I love Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz for its orchestration and story line; and The Planets by Holst for its scope and sheer beauty — both are full of challenging, rewarding percussion writing, too. I’m also a big fan of film music. There’s over a century of incredible film composers and their scores to choose from. The experience is very different between concerts. Pops concerts involve a lot of running around playing numerous percussion instruments and movement. Classical concerts involve more sitting and waiting — and then suddenly you stand up and play, and everyone is watching
and listening. It’s mentally intense, and you have to stay fully engaged no matter how long the rests are.
What do you think makes percussion such an expressive art form?
Even when we’re not playing, we have to be mentally, musically, and emotionally inside the piece. The soul and heart of the music we play has to come through in how we bring the black notes on the page to life — with balance, nuance, texture, and touch. It’s all about making the orchestra sound whole.
Your grandson seems to enjoy your concerts too!
Yes! My grandson Oliver is three, and he’s already a little musician at heart. There’s a video of him at the Fourth of July concert imitating Steven Karidoyanes conducting — it’s priceless. He came to the All Ages concert in March and when we were playing Wagner he was completely
still, just absorbing everything. It was fascinating to see that. He still enjoys conducting music on YouTube videos.
What makes the Plymouth Philharmonic special to you?
The Phil is a unique artistic and cultural gem in this region. It’s not just the musicians — the Board, staff and volunteers work incredibly hard. Together, we create something meaningful for the community. During our concerts I think the orchestra pulls audiences into the music, and they allow themselves to be carried away by the music. You also feel the difference between classical and pops audiences. Classical audiences listen with deep intensity. Pops audiences often burst out with appreciation — and we absolutely feed off that energy.
