In 2004, in New York City, composer/percussionist Andrew Beall performed the world premiere of his Testament: Symphony for Marimba and Orchestra with the Tower Philharmonic, marking as the first marimba symphony in history ever to be composed or performed. Since the premiere, he has reduced the opus to a shorter Concerto, which has had performances with the Aspen Philharmonic and the Columbus Philharmonic. His second major orchestral work, Affirmation, for solo percussion and orchestra, had its premiere at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. This summer, on the Capitol Steps of Washington DC, the US Navy Band will premiere the concert band version.

A multi-faceted performer, composer, educator, and entrepreneur, Mr. Beall sustains balance between the Symphonic, Broadway, Rock, and Marching arenas, as well as being the President of the Percussive Arts Society New York Chapter. As a freelance percussionist, he has performed on Broadway in The Lion King, Les Miserables, In The Heights, Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Pops Orchestra, and the Latin Grammy’s with artists such as Santana, Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia, Patty LaBelle, Kenny G, John Legend, Jon Secada, and the Miami Sound Machine. Mr. Beall has appeared as a soloist around the world, including 15 recitals and 8 concerto performances. In 2001, he won the D.C.I. Solo Marimba Competition, D.C.I. Percussion Ensemble Competition (with the Phantom Regiment drum & bugle corps), and the P.A.S.I.C. College Marimba Competition. He has placed 1st in concerto competitions at The Ohio State University and New York University, and 2nd at the MTNA National Young Artist Performer’s Competition. Mr. Beall spent a year as a cast member and snare drum soloist in the Australian stage spectacular, Rhythm of the Night. He has performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra, Key West Symphony, American Brass Quintet, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Percussion Ensemble, Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Garden State Philharmonic, Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, Harmonie Symphony Orchestra, Gotham City Orchestra, Westchester Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and has toured Mexico with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. In November 2007, Mr. Beall was appointed Principal Timpanist/Percussionist of the Erato Chamber Orchestra of Chicago. Additionally, he tours as drummer for the New York-based rock sextet, Cordis (www.cordismusic.com) and is a member of NY’s premiere outreach quartet, Percussion People.

As a composer, Mr. Beall’s works have been performed at the top concert halls, conservatories, and music festivals around the world. Last October, the Erato Chamber Orchestra of Chicago premiered his Song of ‘Almah for marimba, soprano, and string orchestra. As a guest artist and clinician, he has presented concerts and workshops across the country, many featuring a portrait of his compositions. In the field of marching percussion, he has taught drum and bugle corps such as the Boston Crusaders, Santa Clara Vanguard, and Carolina Crown (arranging the 2003 winning D.C.I. Percussion Ensemble). He has also written and designed indoor percussion shows for Odyssey Percussion Theater and Surround Sound. Mr. Beall received his B.M. from the Manhattan School of Music, his M.A. from New York University, and was a Charles Owen Memorial Fellowship winner at the Aspen Music Festival. He is pleased to frequent his alma mater, Manhattan School of Music, to teach privately at their Pre-College. Mr. Beall’s debut studio CD, Deliverance, was released on BMP Records and received critical acclaim from PAS News. He is the President of two companies: Bachovich Music Publications (www.bachovich.com) and Beall Percussion Specialties (www.beallpercussion.com), and is an endorsing artist/clinician for Innovative Percussion, Pearl Drum Corporation, SABIAN Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads.