Brian Del Signore is the Principal Percussionist and Associate Principal Timpanist of Houston Symphony, which he joined in 1986. Mr. Del Signore performs continually in Houston, and has toured the UK and Europe, and performed in Moscow and Singapore with the Houston Symphony. He has also toured Japan several times with the Houston Symphony, as well as with the Houston Symphony Chamber Players, and coached students at Pacific Music Festival on those visits. Prior to the Houston Symphony appointment, Mr. Del Signore held a one year position as principal percussionist of the Grand Rapids Symphony in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and performed as an extra/substitute percussionist with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra.



Born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Brian Del Signore earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1981. In 1984, Mr. Del Signore earned a Masters in Music from Temple University in Philadelphia where he studied with Alan Abel of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He began piano lessons at age six and drums at age eleven. His first drum teacher was Louis Carto, pop star Bobby Vinton’s drummer and bandleader in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.



Sabian supports the educational programs Mr. Del Signore presents including the clinic/masterclass Digital Recording Tools for the Performing Musician. For more information about these educational programs and clinics, please visit www.briandelsignore.com.

Q & A

BORN IN: Pittsburgh, PA

LIVES IN: Houston, TX

DRUMMING SINCE: 1967

CURRENT BAND/PROJECT(S): Houston Symphony

BIGGEST INFLUENCE(S): Alan Abel, John Soroka

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON: Four Last Songs and Der Rosenkavelier Suite/ Houston Symphony/ Conductor Christoph Eschenbach/ Soloist Renee Fleming

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON: Mahler Symphony #3/ Chicago Symphony/ Levine

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Playing the great concert halls of Europe on tour with Houston Symphony

FAVORITE SABIAN CYMBAL: No particular favorites but love the Viennese or medium weight for a2 playing. There are so many great choices for suspended cymbals, including drumset choices.