John Wyre
Encyclopedia
John Harvey Wyre was a U.S.
-born Canadian
percussionist, composer
, and music educator. He worked as percussionist with a number of important orchestra
s in North America, notably serving for many years as the principal timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
. He was a founding member of the percussion ensemble Nexus
, with which he performed for over 30 years. He was also Artistic Director of World Drums with whom he organized and directed performances at several major international events. His music compositions have been performed by ensembles throughout the world, including the New York Philharmonic
, the Cleveland Orchestra
, the CBC Radio Orchestra
, and the Japan Philharmonic among others.
, Wyre began studying the percussion at age 15 with Fred Hinger, a percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra
. He remained Hinger's student until 1959 when he entered the Eastman School of Music
at the University of Rochester
. He studied under William Street
at Eastman, earning a Bachelor of Music
there in 1964.
Wyre began his performance career as a percussionist with the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra in 1964-1965 and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
in 1965-1966. He then immigrated to Canada to become a timpanist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
, serving in that capacity from 1966–1971 and again from 1975-1981. In 1971 he co-founded the percussion ensemble Nexus
with whom he remained active until 2002. He also performed frequently at the New Music Concerts beginning in 1972. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1972.
From 1985-1988, Weir was the principal timpanist for the orchestra of the Canadian 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 of World Drums, with whom he notably organized a performance at Expo 86
in 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 the Scotia Festival in Halifax. He also organized World Drum performances at the Toronto International Festival (1984), the 1988 Winter Olympics
, and Expo 88 among other events.
As a teacher, Wyre worked as an instructor for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada from 1967–1969 and served on the music faculty of the University of Toronto
from 1971-1974. He died in St. John's
, Newfoundland and Labrador
at the age of 65.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
percussionist, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and music educator. He worked as percussionist with a number of important orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
s in North America, notably serving for many years as the principal timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
. He was a founding member of the percussion ensemble Nexus
Nexus (percussion ensemble)
Nexus is a Toronto-based percussion ensemble that performs jazz, world music, and western avantgarde music.The ensemble is made up of percussionists Bob Becker , Bill Cahn , Robin Engelman, Russell Hartenberger, John Wyre, and Garry Kvistad. Founding member Michael Craden died of liver cancer in 1982...
, with which he performed for over 30 years. He was also Artistic Director of World Drums with whom he organized and directed performances at several major international events. His music compositions have been performed by ensembles throughout the world, including the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
, the Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
, the CBC Radio Orchestra
CBC Radio Orchestra
The CBC Radio Orchestra was a Canadian orchestra based in Vancouver, British Columbia that was operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Until the early 1980s CBC had a number of orchestras located in Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax but due to federal government budget cuts they...
, and the Japan Philharmonic among others.
Biography
Born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Wyre began studying the percussion at age 15 with Fred Hinger, a percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
. He remained Hinger's student until 1959 when he entered the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
at the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
. He studied under William Street
William Street
William Street may refer to:* William Street, Brisbane in Queensland, Australia* William Street in Carson City, Nevada, USA* William Street , New York City, USA* William Street, Melbourne in Victoria, Australia...
at Eastman, earning a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
there in 1964.
Wyre began his performance career as a percussionist with the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra in 1964-1965 and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its primary performing venue is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts...
in 1965-1966. He then immigrated to Canada to become a timpanist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
, serving in that capacity from 1966–1971 and again from 1975-1981. In 1971 he co-founded the percussion ensemble Nexus
Nexus (percussion ensemble)
Nexus is a Toronto-based percussion ensemble that performs jazz, world music, and western avantgarde music.The ensemble is made up of percussionists Bob Becker , Bill Cahn , Robin Engelman, Russell Hartenberger, John Wyre, and Garry Kvistad. Founding member Michael Craden died of liver cancer in 1982...
with whom he remained active until 2002. He also performed frequently at the New Music Concerts beginning in 1972. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1972.
From 1985-1988, Weir was the principal timpanist for the orchestra of the Canadian Opera Company
Canadian Opera Company
The Canadian Opera Company is an opera company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest opera company in Canada and the third largest producer of opera in North America. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.-History:For 40 years until...
. 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 of World Drums, with whom he notably organized a performance at Expo 86
Expo 86
The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Friday, May 2 until Monday, October 13, 1986...
in 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 the Scotia Festival in Halifax. He also organized World Drum performances at the Toronto International Festival (1984), the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, and Expo 88 among other events.
As a teacher, Wyre worked as an instructor for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada from 1967–1969 and served on the music faculty of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
from 1971-1974. He died in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
at the age of 65.