John beck percussionist biography of christopher columbus

American percussionist and professor

John H. Beck (born February 16, ) is professor emeritus of percussion at the Eastman School of Music and was principal timpanist for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra from to ^[1]

Career

Beck was born on February 16, , in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Beck found a passion for music playing drum set in the local bars around town.^[2] Aiming to be a jazz drummer in the footstep of artists like Gene Krupa, Beck began studying at Eastman under William Street in After earning his bachelor's degree in , Beck served in the United States Marines as a timpanist for The President's Own. After his discharge in , he taught for Eastman's preparatory program and later became the full professor of percussion in , after Street's retirement. Notable students of Beck include drummer Steve Gadd, vibraphonist Joe Locke, and marimbist Leigh Howard Stevens.

Beck served as the president for the New York chapter of the Percussive Biography of john cabot!