Published: October 09, 2007 08:57 am      

Symphony timpanist likes to bang on the drums

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

As principal timpanist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Ronald Horner carries a big stick and knows how to use it.

Horner's sticks are not the plain wooden variety because a standard drumstick would punch a hole in the timpani, or kettle drums.

Instead, a timpanist uses mallets covered with felt. The amount of felt on the mallet determines the sound the drums produce.

"The amount of felt makes a darker or brighter sound to blend with the ensemble," Horner said.

"I have to think what kind of sound there's going to be. Trumpets make a bright sound, while the string bass makes a softer, darker, fuller sound."

Rather than having to carry an instrument case, Horner simply brings a briefcase full of mallets.

Patricia Hofscher, symphony executive director, explained that Horner plays four drums, which have pitches that can be changed with pedals.

"There's a pedal at the bottom of the drum," Horner said. "If you tighten the tension on the head you get a higher pitch, and if you loosen it, you get a lower pitch."

And during a concert, he has to know which drum is at which pitch.

"Timpani is one of the few instruments that has a moving pitch," Hofscher said. "Others have to stop and retune their instrument. A timpani player has both hands and feet going, which isn't usual for a symphony player. It's similar to a harp."

Horner said some composers give directions for the timpanist and others don't.

"In most standard repertoire, it's a judgment call for the player," Horner said. "It helps to know your musical history. Something by Mozart will be played differently than a modern symphony."

Horner grew up in Somerset and came to Johnstown every week for the symphony's youth orchestra, Hofscher said.

"He's from the area and stayed here, and we're pleased and proud to have him," she said.

Horner has played at least one concert a season with Johnstown Symphony since 1973.

He started with the youth orchestra and has been with the adult orchestra since he was in high school.

Horner was principal percussionist from 1980 to 1990 and has been principal timpanist since 1990.

He had to study all percussion instruments, but found himself gravitating toward the timpani.

"I enjoyed them the most," Horner said. "They're big and shiny and loud. It's nice to have their power at my disposal. They're powerful. I could obliterate the rest of the orchestra."

Horner also is principal timpanist for Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and timpanist for the Keystone Wind Ensemble.

He was principal percussionist for River City Brass Band in 1987 and staff percussionist for Allegheny Highlands Regional Theater from 1986-87.

Horner also has played with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under conductors Leonard Bernstein, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta and Georg Solti.

After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1978, he was hired to play with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Horner has performed in most of the major concert halls of the world, including Royal Albert Hall in London, La Scalia in Italy, and Carnegie Hall in New York.

He has performed with the late Luciano Pavarotti, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Bernadette Peters and Frank Sinatra Jr.

Horner has studied African percussion, Caribbean steel drums and gamelan, an Indonesian musical ensemble which includes xylophones, drums and gongs.

He is an assistant professor of music at IUP and director of percussion studies at Frostburg State University in Maryland.

Horner also has taught at West Virginia University in Morgantown, Pitt, Seton Hill College in Greensburg and Somerset Area School District.

Horner usually has a hectic symphony season, but his summers are a bit calmer.

This summer, he attended a workshop on world music drumming and taught a summer class.

Horner is the author of "The Tuneful Timpanist," a book that instructs students how to play a melody on drums.

"I've done reviews in professional journals, and I'm working on a textbook that isn't finished yet," Horner said. "I don't know what will become of it."

He also offers private percussion lessons in his home to students from elementary school to graduate school.

When he isn't beating on his timpani, Horner enjoys golfing and growing vegetables.

He said both are a slower pace and less noisy.