John Wyre

John Harvey Wyre(17 May 1941 – 31 October 2006) was aU.S.-bornCanadianpercussionist,composer,andmusic educator.He worked as percussionist with a number of importantorchestrasin North America, notably serving for many years as the principaltimpanistof theToronto Symphony Orchestra.He was a founding member of the percussion ensembleNexus,with which he performed for over 30 years. He was also artistic director ofWorld Drumswith whom he organized and directed performances at several major international events. His music compositions have been performed by ensembles throughout the world, including theNew York Philharmonic,theCleveland Orchestra,theCBC Radio Orchestra,and theJapan Philharmonicamong others.

Biography

Born inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,Wyre began studying the percussion at age 15 withFred Hinger,a percussionist with thePhiladelphia Orchestra.He remained Hinger's student until 1959 when he entered theEastman School of Musicat theUniversity of Rochester.He studied underWilliam Streetat Eastman, earning aBachelor of Musicthere in 1964.

Wyre began his performance career as a percussionist with theOklahoma City Symphony Orchestrain 1964-1965 and theMilwaukee Symphony Orchestrain 1965–1966. He then immigrated to Canada to become a timpanist with theToronto Symphony Orchestra,serving in that capacity from 1966 to 1971 and again from 1975 to 1981. In 1971 he co-founded the percussion ensembleNexuswith whom he remained active until 2002. He also performed frequently at theNew Music Concertsbeginning in 1972. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1972.

From 1985 to 1988, Wyre was the principal timpanist for the orchestra of theCanadian Opera Company.He was appointed to that same post with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1987, with whom he remained active up into 21st century. For many years he was artistic director ofWorld Drums,with whom he notably organized a performance atExpo 86in Vancouver; a performance which was filmed under the direction of Niv Fichman and released by Rhombus Media on VHS. In 1989 he was principal percussionist for theScotia Festivalin Halifax. He also organized World Drum performances at theToronto International Festival(1984), the1988 Winter Olympics,andExpo 88among other events.

As a teacher, Wyre worked as an instructor for theNational Youth Orchestra of Canadafrom 1967 to 1969 and served on the music faculty of theUniversity of Torontofrom 1971 to 1974.He died inSt. John's,Newfoundland and Labradorat the age of 65.