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

timpanist Timpani (; ) or kettledrums (also informally called timps) are musical instruments in the percussion instrument, percussion family. A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a Membranophone, membrane called a drumhead, ...

, composer and educator. He was Principal Timpanist for the

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra is resident at Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District. Since 2008, the orchestra's music director is Manfred Ho ...

from 1956-1994. As a solo artist, he premiered several major new works for solo timpani and orchestra with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. When William Steinberg retired as Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony the Pittsburgh Post Gazette of May 21, 1976 quoted Steinberg in an article as saying ".....Stanley Leonard, Pittsburgh's first timpanist. He is such a fabulous figure, the number one man in the orchestra. He is not just a tympanist, he is the embodiment of tympanum playing." In 2010, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. He has composed more than 206 pieces for percussion instruments. His compositions for percussion, voice, choral, piano, violin, and handbells are listed in "An Annotated Bibliography of Percussion Works by Stanley Leonard." He also wrote method books, including Pedal Technique for the Timpani. Leonard taught percussion at

Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The institution was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools. In 1912, it became the Carnegie Institu ...

from 1958-1978, and then at

Duquesne University Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit ( ; also known as Duquesne University or Duquesne) is a Private university, private Catholic higher education, Catholic research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of ...

from 1989-2001. His music and recordings are cataloged and archived at the Sibley Music Library of the Eastman School of Music. (See External Links below).

Career timeline

1943–1949 :Studied snare drum and marimba with Vera McNary Daehlin of the

Kansas City Philharmonic The Kansas City Symphony (KCS) is an American symphony orchestra based in Kansas City, Missouri. The orchestra is resident at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra performs a 42-week season, and is also the accompanying or ...

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) is an American symphony orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891, the ensemble has been based in the Symphony Center since 1904 and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Fes ...

and

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

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, United States. Established in 1921 by celebrated industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman, it was the ...

. 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. Considered one of America's leading wind ensemble ...

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

Frederick Fennell Frederick Fennell (July 2, 1914 – December 7, 2004) was an American conductor and one of the primary figures who promoted the Eastman Wind Ensemble as a performing group. He was also influential as a band pedagogue, and greatly affected the ...

, Conductor 1955–1956 :Timpanist with the 19th Army Band; performed on ABC network series

Soldier Parade ''Talent Patrol'' is an American game show that was broadcast during the 1950s. The series starred Steve Allen and later Arlene Francis as the hosts. The series ran on the American Broadcasting Company from 1953-1955. Overview The program served ...

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 Nig ...

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, c ...

, 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 t ...

:*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

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) C. Alan Publications * "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 * "Pairs" (2001) Rowloff Productions

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) C. Alan Publications * "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

* "Heptades" (2024) Stanley S. Leonard * "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

Thirteen Players

* "Drum Celebration" (2022) Alfred Music

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

References

External links

Official Web Page of Stanley LeonardStanley Leonard Interview
at NAMM Oral History Library
Sibley Music Library: Published and unpublished works and recordings by Stanley LeonardASCAP: Music by Stanley S. Leonard
Classical percussionists American percussionists American timpanists {{authority control