Charles (Chip) Ross has been the Principal Timpanist of the Rochester Philharmonic since 2003. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, he has performed as timpanist with many orchestras in the U.S. and abroad; among them include the Philadelphia Orchestra, La Scala Opera, Baltimore Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, RAI (Radio Orchestra) of Torino, (Italy), Chatauqua Festival Orchestra, and the Moscow and Philadelphia Chamber Orchestras. Charles is on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music and the Brevard Music Center.
He has also taught at the Curtis Institute of Music, Drexel University, and has given clinics and master classes for the Percussive Arts Society. His primary teachers have been Ken Belding, David Fein, Gerald Carlyss, Michael Bookspan, and Fred Hinger, as well as additional studies with Cloyd Duff, Saul Goodman, and Alan Abel.
An accomplished jazz vibraphonist, Charles has performed a number of times as vibe soloist with the Rochester Philharmonic. In January, 2010, he gave his debut as timpani soloist with the Philharmonic, premiering a concerto written for him by Grammy award winning composer, producer, and conductor, Jeff Tyzik. Charles is also the creator and manufacturer of RossTimp Kettledrum Mallets; currently used by professionals and students throughout the world. He is an affiliate artist and clinician with the Pearl/Adams Corporation, and Evans/Daddario.
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