John R. Beck
Phone: (336)734-2833
Email: beckj@ncarts.edu

John R. Beck has performed with a wide variety of ensembles in a diversity of musical styles. He joined the artist-faculty at the North Carolina School of the Arts in 1998, and is a percussionist with the Winston-Salem and Greensboro symphony orchestras, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the Philidor Percussion Group. A former member of the United States Marine Band, he performed regularly with the National and Baltimore symphonies, Washington and Baltimore operas, and the Theater Chamber Players of the Kennedy Center. Beck has toured the United States as a xylophone soloist with the Marine Band, Jack Daniel's Silver Cornet Band, and the New Sousa Band. While living in Washington, D.C., he recorded and performed commercial music on drum set and percussion with touring Broadway shows, jazz and “Top 40” bands.

Mr. Beck served previously on the faculties of the Universities of Utah, Colorado, Nevada and Florida State. He has authored articles for The Instrumentalist, North Carolina Music Educator, Percussive Notes, Yamaha Education Series CD-Rom, and The Zildjian Educator. An active member of the Percussive Arts Society, he serves on the board of directors and the education committee; is a past president of the N.C. Chapter; and has appeared as a clinician at three PAS international conventions. He holds degrees from Oberlin College and the Eastman School of Music. He presents clinics representing Innovative Mallets, Yamaha Percussion and Zildjian Cymbals. His compositions, arrangements and instructional video are published by HoneyRock.