Genre

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Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Gerald Carlyss is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a percussionist, conductor, and educator. Born on August 22, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Carlyss grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from an early age. His father was a jazz drummer, and his mother was a pianist, which inspired Carlyss to pursue a career in music. Carlyss began his musical journey by learning to play the drums at the age of six. He later switched to percussion and started taking lessons from the renowned percussionist, Vic Firth. Carlyss continued his education at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1963. He then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School, which he completed in 1965. After completing his education, Carlyss began his professional career as a percussionist with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra. He then joined the United States Army Band in Washington, D.C., where he served as a percussionist and timpanist for three years. During his time in the army, Carlyss had the opportunity to perform for President Lyndon B. Johnson and other high-ranking officials. In 1969, Carlyss joined the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Music, where he taught percussion and conducted the percussion ensemble. He remained at the university for 35 years and was instrumental in building the percussion program into one of the best in the country. Carlyss also served as the conductor of the university's Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, leading them to numerous national and international awards. Carlyss's talent as a percussionist and conductor was recognized by many, and he was invited to perform and conduct with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra, among others. Carlyss has also conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. One of Carlyss's most significant achievements was his role in the founding of the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute. The program was established in 1978 to provide young musicians with the opportunity to study with world-class musicians and perform in a professional orchestra. Carlyss served as the director of the program for 25 years and helped to shape the careers of many young musicians. In addition to his work as a performer and conductor, Carlyss has also made significant contributions to the field of music education. He has written several books on percussion technique and pedagogy, including "Fundamental Solos for Timpani" and "The Rudimental Cookbook." Carlyss has also served as a clinician and guest lecturer at universities and music schools around the world. Carlyss's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1999, he was awarded the Maryland State Arts Council's Individual Artist Award for Music Composition. He was also inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2001, and the University of Maryland School of Music named its percussion studio in his honor in 2004. Despite retiring from the University of Maryland in 2004, Carlyss has remained active in the music world. He continues to perform and conduct, and he serves as a mentor to young musicians.

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