Hometown:
San Diego, California
Education:
University of Denver, Bachelor of Music (2024)
University of Southern California, Master of Music (2026)
Bio:
Recently appointed as principal timpanist of the New Mexico Philharmonic in 2025, Tyler Brown is currently finishing a master’s degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, studying under Jim Babor and Joe Pereira of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver in 2024 with a Bachelor’s in Percussion Performance.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My journey with the drums began at age 9, inspired by watching my friend’s dad’s garage band. I soon joined my elementary school’s music program, where my teacher encouraged my parents to enroll me in private lessons. In high school, I was introduced to classical music when I joined a nearby youth orchestra. After playing bass drum on Danzon No 2 (Arturo Marquez), I immediately knew that orchestral percussion was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker and Mahler’s 2nd Symphony. These are my two favorite composers because they wrote such fun timpani and percussion parts.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I spent 4 months studying abroad in Sweden at the Malmö Academy of Music in 2023.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I try to spend most of my free time hanging out with friends, since it is pretty easy to self-isolate in the practice room. I also enjoy going to the gym and hiking 14ers.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose to attend NRO because of the vast amount of repertoire I’ll get exposed to. I think it’s such a great simulation of what a full time, professional orchestra will feel like. And I mean, how could you turn down two months in the Rockies?