The Royal College of Music (RCM) Festival of Percussion 2019 returns on Sunday 5 May. Internationally-renowned drummer Tommy Igoe headlines a full day of performances, talks and workshops for audiences of all ages. Now in its ninth year, the RCM Festival of Percussion is an established highlight of the UK percussion calendar. Alongside Ronnie Scott’s Big Band musical director Pete Long, Tommy will close the festival with the ever-popular RCM Big Band concert.
Tommy Igoe’s eclectic career has seen him serve as the principal drummer and conductor for The Lion Kingon Broadway, appear on three Grammy Award-winning albums and become an acclaimed teacher, speaker and author. He currently runs two music residencies in San Francisco and New York and is President of Deep Rhythm Music LLC.
This year the lunchtime concert brings together The Royal Marines Band Service and RCM alumnus Owen Gunnell. Other highlights include performances from Neal Wilkinson and the 2019 Young Drummer of the Year winner Nathan Shingler, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra timpani and percussion section will showcase iconic moments from their repertoire.
Through talks and workshops, visitors will gain insight from experts such as Patrick King, Principal Timpanist for the Welsh National Opera. As a percussionist for film soundtracks, including All the Money in the World and Jason Bourne, Rob Farrer will further illustrate the breadth a career in percussion can offer. Many will also know Rob as drummer of cult pop band The Divine Comedy.
Activities for families will include Gamelan, Taiko drumming, drum kit and tuned percussion sessions presented by RCM Sparks, the College’s learning and participation programme.
Representatives from the world’s leading percussion companies and distributors will also be present at an all-day trade fair.
David Hockings, Head of Percussion at the RCM and founder of the festival, commented: ‘With our annual celebration of percussion we take pride in delivering a distinctive programme to engage and inspire. A career in percussion can take many forms and we are excited to present a world-class line-up featuring experts from all areas of the industry’
Details of the 2019 festival can be found at www.rcm.ac.uk/percfest
Whole Festival Tickets are just £15 with 50% concessions available to under 18s and students. Entry to individual events in the Festival is on a first-come-first-served basis. Tickets are available from the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314 or online at www.rcm.ac.uk/events
