Timpanist, percussionist, educator and composer, Stanley Leonard, achieved prominence in the music world during a distinguished thirty eight year career (1956-1994) as Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He performed internationally with the symphony in concerts, television productions, and on over fifty recordings.
As a solo artist, he premiered several major new works for solo timpani and orchestra with the PSO. He received accolades for his performance from critics, conductors and fellow musical colleagues. Established publishers in the United States and Europe became interested in his music and there are now over sixty of his works for percussion, timpani, timpani and organ/trumpet, percussion ensemble, and handbells published in the United States, Europe, and around the world. There are one hundred forty more pieces in the Stanley Leonard Percussion Music catalog.
He is the author of the well known method book Pedal Technique for the Timpani. He can be heard performing and conducting his works for percussion on the CDs Canticle, Collage, Reunion, and Retrospections; his works for organ, trumpet and timpani on the CD Acclamation; and his handbell works on the CD Jubilate.
Stanley has presented masterclasses and clinics at colleges and universities in the United States, Europe and Asia. He presented clinics and participated in the Emeritus Ensemble at Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. Stanley is listed in the PAS Hall of Fame. He has been active in the world of percussion for 80 years.
Stanley has appreciated performing with the sound and reliability of Yamaha Professional Series timpani for many years.