Stanley Sprenger Leonard (born September 26, 1931) is a

timpanist Timpani (; ) or kettledrums (also informally called timps) are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a membrane called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally ...

, composer and educator who has been active in the

percussion A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Exc ...

world for over seventy years. While Principal Timpanist of the

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra The ''Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra'' (''PSO'') is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District, Pittsburgh, Cultural District. History The Pittsburgh Sy ...

for 38 years (1956-1994), he performed internationally with the symphony in concerts, television productions, and recordings." The ''Christian Science Monitor'' claimed, "...his performance of the solo part establishes him as perhaps the finest timpanist in the country." As a solo artist, he premiered several major new works for solo timpani and orchestra with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In a review of "CelebrationsAn Overture for Timpani and Orchestra," the ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'' said, "Leonard played it superbly, imparting a singing line to this most unvocal instrument." In 2010, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, where they summed up his musical contribution: "Leonard has left an indelible musical footprint for musicians, especially percussionists." He is currently resident timpanist, composer, was

handbell A handbell is a bell designed to be rung by hand. To ring a handbell, a ringer grasps the bell by its slightly flexible handle – traditionally made of leather, but often now made of plastic – and moves the arm to make the hinged cla ...

director at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, Naples, Florida, and continues to compose and teach master classes. He has composed more than one hundred eighty pieces for percussion instruments, including timpani, timpani and organ, snare drum, and

percussion ensemble A percussion ensemble is a musical ensemble consisting of only percussion instruments. Although the term can be used to describe any such group, it commonly refers to groups of classically trained percussionists performing primarily classical m ...

. His compositions for percussion, voice, choral, piano, violin, and handbells are listed in "An Annotated Bibliography of Percussion Works by Stanley Leonard." He also composed method books, including Pedal Technique for the Timpani. This book's unique method helps the timpanist develop a total concept of timpani performance by producing kinesthetic confidence, achieved by educating foot and leg movements in conjunction with the stroke of the stick, while also focusing on the pitch being tuned. At

Carnegie-Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of its predecessors was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools; it became the Carnegie Institute of Technology ...

(1958-1978), he taught percussion, timpani and percussion ensemble. As Adjunct Professor of Percussion at

Duquesne University Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit ( or ; Duquesne University or Duquesne) is a private Catholic research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened as the Pittsbu ...

(1989-2001), he taught timpani and conducted the percussion ensemble. He has taught clinics and master classes at schools across the US, including Curtis Institute of Music,

Interlochen Center for the Arts Interlochen Center for the Arts is a non-profit corporation which operates arts education institutions and performance venues in northwest Michigan. It is situated on a campus in Interlochen, Michigan, roughly southwest of Traverse City. In ...

, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, University of North Texas College of Music, and Eastman School of Music. He wrote three articles published in ''Percussive Notes''. "The Kettledrumer's Art" appeared in the August 2023 edition and can be viewed on . You can view an interview with Stanley Leonard titled ''A Musical Life'' on YouTube.

Career timeline

1943–1949 :Studied snare drum and marimba with Vera McNary Daehlin of the Kansas City Philharmonic 1945-1950 :Performed timpani with the Independence Little Symphony 1946-1949 :Studied timpani with Ben Udell of the Kansas City Philharmonic 1948–1950 :Performed as percussionist with the Kansas City Philharmonic, Hans Schwieger, Music Director 1950–1951 :Studied timpani with Edward Metzinger of the

Chicago Symphony The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenure ...

and

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

1951-1954 :Studied percussion and timpani with William Street of the

Eastman School of Music The Eastman School of Music is the music school of the University of Rochester, a private research university in Rochester, New York. It was established in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman. It offers Bachelor of Music (B.M ...

. Graduated 1954, Bachelor of Music, Performers Certificate in Percussion 1953-1954 :Performed as percussionist with the Rochester Philharmonic,

Erich Leinsdorf Erich Leinsdorf (born Erich Landauer; February 4, 1912 – September 11, 1993) was an Austrian-born American conductor. He performed and recorded with leading orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States and Europe, earning a ...

, Music Director 1952–1954 :Charter member of

Eastman Wind Ensemble The Eastman Wind Ensemble was founded by conductor Frederick Fennell at the Eastman School of Music in 1952. The ensemble is often credited with helping redefine the performance of wind band music. At the time, concert bands used all of their pla ...

, percussionist then timpanist; made first two recordings of the Eastman Wind Ensemble,

Frederick Fennell Frederick Fennell (July 2, 1914 – December 7, 2004) was an internationally recognized conductor and one of the primary figures in promoting the Eastman Wind Ensemble as a performing group. He was also influential as a band pedagogue, and grea ...

, Conductor 1955–1956 :Timpanist with the 19th Army Band; performed on ABC network series Soldier Parade with Arlene Francis and twice on the

Ed Sullivan Show ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the '' CBS Sunday Night ...

1956-1994 :Principal Timpanist Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra :Music Directors: 1956-1976

William Steinberg William Steinberg (Cologne, August 1, 1899New York City, May 16, 1978) was a German-American conductor. Biography Steinberg was born Hans Wilhelm Steinberg in Cologne, Germany. He displayed early talent as a violinist, pianist, and composer, ...

, 1976-1984 Andre Previn, 1985-1994

Lorin Maazel Lorin Varencove Maazel (, March 6, 1930 – July 13, 2014) was an American conductor, violinist and composer. He began conducting at the age of eight and by 1953 had decided to pursue a career in music. He had established a reputation in th ...

:*Made national and international tours :*Made over fifty recordings for Capitol, Columbia, Philips, Angel, Command, Everest, and Sony; one received a Grammy Award (Maazel) and one a Gramophone Award, UK, (Previn) :*Appeared in the television series on PBS: Previn and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra :*Made five solo appearances: ::

Discography

On the CDs ''Canticle'', ''Collage'', ''Acclamation'', and ''Reunion'', Leonard directs and performs his compositions for percussion. ''Retrospections'' features his music and music by Brett W. Dietz. All CDs are available through th
Sibley Music Library
Also directly from Stanley Leonard at www.StanleyLeonard.com * ''Canticle'' (1995) — Duquesne University Alumni Percussion Ensemble, Stanley Leonard * ''Collage'' (2007) — Hamiruge Percussion Group Louisiana State University, Stanley Leonard * ''Acclamation'' (2010) — Stanley Leonard, Timpani, James Cochran, Organ, Matthew Sonneborn, Trumpet * ''Reunion'' (2012) — Tempus Fugit Percussion Ensemble, Hamiruge Percussion Group, Stanley Leonard * ''Jubilate'' (2015) — Three Rivers Ringers Handbell Ensemble * ''Retrospections'' (2020) — Hamiruge Percussion Group Louisiana State University, Stanley Leonard

Compositions for percussion music

You can find the compositions listed here o
ASCAP
or in th
Sibley Music Library

Etude and method books

* ''Contemporary Album for Snare Drum'' (1986) LudwigMasters Publications * ''Forty Hymns and Carols for Timpani'' (2002) PerMus Publications * ''Four Duets for Timpani'' (2014) Alfred Music * ''Orchestral Repertoire for the Timpani. An Introduction'' (1997) LudwigMasters Publications * ''Pedal Technique for the Timpani'' (1988) LudwigMasters Publications * ''Seventeen Technical Studies for Timpani'' (2014) Alfred Music * ''The Timpani: Music and Mechanics'' (2000) Stanley S. Leonard * ''Twelve Solo Etudes for the Advanced Timpanist'' (2015) Alfred Music

Unaccompanied timpani solos

* "Canticle" (1972) LudwigMasters Publications * "Collage for Solo Timpani" (2009) C. Alan Publications * "Danza" (2014) Bachovich Music Publications * "Doubles" (1995) LudwigMasters Publications * "Echoes of Seven" (2012) Mostly MarImba Music Publications * "Echoes of Eight" (2014) Alfred Music * "Echoes of Nine" (2002) LudwigMasters Publications * "Flashback" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard * "Forms" (1986) LudwigMasters Publications * "Madras" (1981) Bachovich Music Publications * "March and Scherzo" (2010) Bachovich Music Publications * "Solo Dialogue for Four Timpani and Three Tom Toms" (1991) LudwigMasters Publications * "Solus, with Multiple Percussion" (2000) RowLoff Productions

Timpani solo with other instruments

* "Canto for Solo Timpani and Trombone" (2004) Stanley S. Leonard * "Canto II for Solo Timpani and French Horn" (2007) Stanley S. Leonard * "Concertino for Timpani and Keyboard Percussion Ensemble" (1996) LudwigMasters Publications * "Duetto Concertino for Timpani and French Horn" (1995) LudwigMasters Publications * "Fanfare and Allegro for Solo Timpani and Trumpet" (1974) Boosey and Hawkes * "Recitative and Scherzo for Solo Timpani and Percussion Ensemble" (2007) C. Alan Publications * "Rhythmix for Solo Timpani and Percussion Quartet" (2015) C. Alan Publications

Timpani duos

* "Duo for Two Timpanists" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications * "Duologue" (2012) Bachovich Publications * "Four Duets for Timpani" (2014) Alfred Music

Timpani and organ and other instruments

* "Alleluia" (2003) Stanley S. Leonard * "Ballad and Dance with Flute" (2013) Stanley S. Leonard * "Celebration Hymn" (2005) Stanley S. Leonard * "Easter Fanfare with Trumpet" (2009) Stanley S. Leonard * "Easter Prologue with Trumpet" (2012) Stanley S. Leonard * "Fanfare and Celebrations" (2018) Stanley S. Leonard * "Fantasia on Luther’s Hymn" (2003) C. Alan Publications * "Fantasia on St. Denio" (2007) Stanley S. Leonard * "He Is Risen with Trumpet" (2005) PerMus Publications * "Hornpipe" G. F. Handel, arranged by S. Leonard (2010) Stanley S. Leonard * "Hymn of Joy" (2010) Stanley S. Leonard * "In Dulci Jubilo" (2009) Stanley S. Leonard * "O Come Emmanuel" (2005) PerMus Publications * "Praise Ye The Lord" (2010) Stanley S. Leonard * "Prelude" (2014) Stanley S. Leonard * "Prelude on an Ancient Hymn with Flugelhorn" (2015) Stanley S. Leonard * "The Rejoicing" G. F. Handel, arranged by S. Leonard (2010) Stanley S. Leonard * "Theme and Variations" (2011) Stanley S. Leonard * "Voluntary with Trumpet" (2003) Stanley S. Leonard

Percussion solos unaccompanied

* "Choirs" (2001) Alfred Music * "Cascades" (2012) Stanley S. Leonard * "Sonnet" (1978) Stanley S. Leonard * "Ubique" (1970) Stanley S. Leonard

Percussion with other instruments

* "Collage with Flute" (1972) Stanley S. Leonard * "On That Day with Organ" (1972) Stanley S. Leonard * "Shadows with Keyboard Percussion Ensemble" (2006) C. Alan Publications * "Triptych with organ, One Brass Instrument and Reader" (1970) Stanley S. Leonard * "Will O' The Wisp with Bass Clarinet/Clarinet" (2005) Stanley S. Leonard

Two percussionists

* "Continuum" (1968) Stanley S. Leonard * "Duales" (2014) Stanley S. Leonard. * "Pairs" (2001) Rowloff Productions

Keyboard percussion ensemble

* "Ballade" (2018) LudwigMasters Publications * "Four Canons" (1958) LudwigMasters Publications * "Fanfares and Celebration (2022) Stanley S. Leonard * "Masquerade" (Waltz)" (1974) Stanley S. Leonard * "Mirror Canon" (1976) Boosey and Hawkes. * "Mirrors" (2012) Mostly Marimba Publications * "Prelude for Four Marimbas" (1972) LudwigMasters Publications * "Processional" (1997) Stanley S. Leonard * "Quarimba" (1995) LudwigMasters Publications * "Rise Up O Flame" (1970) Stanley S. Leonard * "Scherzo" (1975) Stanley S. Leonard * "Serenade" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications * "Two Contemporary Scenes" (1968) Stanley S. Leonard

Percussion ensemble

Three players

* "Three Spaces" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard * "Trilogy" (2019) Stanley S. Leonard * "Trioso" (2003) C. Alan Publications

Four players

* "Bachiana for percussion" (1974) Boosey and Hawkes * "Cycle for Percussion" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard * "Dance Suite" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard * "Four to Seven" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard * "Housemusic for Percussion" (1968) Stanley S. Leonard. * "Kiwi" (2022) with optional fifth player Stanley S. Leonard * "Reflections" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard * "Telin-Ting" (1974) Stanley S. Leonard * "Time and Space" (2019) Stanley S. Leonard

Five players

* "Beachwalk" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications * "Circus" (1972) LudwigMasters Publications * "Closing Piece" (1969) Stanley S. Leonard * "Low Bridge" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard * "Presenting Percussion" (2007) PerMus Publications * "The Advancing Gong" (1971) Stanley S. Leonard * "Three Rivers" (2012) Stanley S. Leonard * "Tupinam" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard * "Winged Chariot" (2003) C. Alan Publications * "Word Games II" (1973) Stanley S. Leonard

Six players

* "Descant" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard * "Danza Bamboo" (2016) C. Alan Publications * "Four Images" (1978) LudwigMasters Publications * "Marche" (2001) RowLoff productions * "Promenade" (1997) LudwigMasters Publications * "The Gathering" (2021) Stanley S. Leonard * "Zanza" (2003) Stanley S. Leonard

Seven players

* "Interiors" (2017) Stanley S. Leonard * "Journeys" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard * "Metalliques" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard * "Sacred Stones" (2004) C. Alan Publications

Eight players

* "Antiphonies" (2000) RowLoff Productions * "Encounters" (2019) Stanley S. Leonard * "Ex Machina" (2000) RowLoff productions * "Etowah" (2020) Stanley S. Leonard * "Fanfare, Meditation, and Dance" (1982) Stanley S. Leonard * "Main Street" (2017) LudwigMasters Publications * "Rituals" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard * "Pickerington" (2022) Stanley S. Leonard * "Six Bagatelles" (2011) C. Alan Publications * "Stickometry"(2023) Stanley S. Leonard

Nine players

* "Dream" (2020) Stanley S. Leonard * "Kymbalon" (2006) C. Alan Publications * "Symphony for Percussion" (2009) RowLoff Productions.

Ten players

* "Skies" (2000) RowLoff Productions * "Traveling Music" (2013) LudwigMasters Publications * "Voices" (2011) Stanley S. Leonard

Eleven Players

* "Palindrome" (2023) Stanley S. Leonard

Twelve players

* "Festival Fanfare" (2001) Stanley S. Leonard

Fourteen players

* "Hurricane" (2006) C. Alan Publications * "Janissary Band" (2011) C. Alan Publications * "Retrospections Fanfare" (2013) Stanley S. Leonard

Percussion ensemble with other instruments or voice

* "Good Christian Men Rejoice" (2000) Handbells RowLoff Productions * "Winter Fantasy" (2000) Handbells Rowloff Productions

Notes

External links

Official Web Page of Stanley LeonardNational Association of Music Merchants: Oral History Interviews, Stanley LeonardSibley Music Library: Published and unpublished works and recordings by Stanley LeonardASCAP: Music by Stanley S. LeonardStanley Leonard performs Saul Goodman’s "Ballad for the Dance" (1983)Stanley Leonard performs the second movement of his composition "Canticle" at PASIC (1996)Stanley Leonard performs his composition "Concertino for Solo Timpani and Keyboard Percussion" with Tempus Fugit PASIC (1996)Stanley Leonard performs part one of his composition "Concertino for Solo Timpani and Keyboard Percussion" with Tempus Fugit PASIC (1996)Stanley Leonard performs part two of his composition "Concertino for solo timpani and Keyboard Percussion" with Tempus Fugit PASIC (1996)Stanley Leonard performs his composition "O Come Emmanuel" with organist James Cochran (2007)Stanley Leonard performs his composition "Fantasia on St. Denio" with organist James Cochran (2007)
Classical percussionists American percussionists Timpanists {{authority control