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Concerto

 

Niel DePonte is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of percussion and music education. Born on August 22, 1953, in Portland, Oregon, DePonte grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. DePonte's early exposure to music sparked his interest in percussion, and he began playing drums at the age of nine. DePonte's passion for music led him to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance from the University of Oregon. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in percussion performance from Indiana University. During his time at Indiana University, DePonte studied under the tutelage of world-renowned percussionist George Gaber. After completing his education, DePonte began his professional career as a percussionist with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. He quickly established himself as a talented musician and was soon appointed as the orchestra's principal percussionist. DePonte remained with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years, during which time he performed in countless concerts and recordings. In addition to his work with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, DePonte has also performed with numerous other orchestras and ensembles, including the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. He has also collaborated with many renowned conductors, including James Levine, Seiji Ozawa, and Leonard Bernstein. DePonte's talent and dedication to music have earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1993, he was awarded the Oregon Symphony's Schnitzer Prize for Outstanding Musician. He has also been recognized by the Oregon Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Percussive Arts Society. In addition to his work as a performer, DePonte is also a respected music educator. He has taught percussion at several universities, including the University of Oregon, Portland State University, and the University of Washington. He has also served as the artistic director of the Oregon Symphony's percussion ensemble, which he founded in 1999. One of the highlights of DePonte's career was his performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was selected to perform as a soloist in the opening ceremony, where he played a piece composed by John Williams. The performance was watched by millions of people around the world and was widely praised for its beauty and artistry. DePonte's contributions to the world of percussion and music education have been significant. He has written several books on percussion, including "The Drummer's Cookbook" and "The Percussionist's Art." He has also composed numerous pieces for percussion, which have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. In recognition of his contributions to music, DePonte was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2013. He continues to perform, teach, and compose music, and his passion for percussion and music education remains as strong as ever.

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