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Tim Palmer
(WPG Artistic Director, Maraca2 Percussion Duo)
Tim began his percussion studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2000. He graduated with a 1st class BMus(Hons) and AdvPgdip with Distinction in 2006. Upon leaving the Conservatoire, he was awarded an Honorary Member of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (HonBC).
Tim is widely recognised for his activities as half of the Maraca2 Percussion Duo. Since it’s inception in 2003, the group have toured the globe and have headlined at many of the world's prestigious festivals. In 2006, the group opened and performed the opening ceremony of the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham. They have performed as an evening headline act as part of the PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention) in Indianapolis, 2013 and have visited over 60 universities and conservatoires worldwide.
Maraca2 have recently become active as soloists with orchestras and have just performed their first Percussion Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. They also appeared as soloists with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pascal Rophé in 2019.
Tim has played an active role in music around Birmingham and has performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and the Royal Shakespeare Company. With these groups he has performed at the Barbican, BBC Proms (Royal Albert Hall), Symphony Hall, Birmingham and Snape Maltings. He was a percussion adjudicator for the BBC Young Musician of the Year, 2016 and is a former Percussive Arts Society UK Chapter President.
Following the success of Maraca2's World Percussion Group, Tim now steers the ensemble forward as Artistic Director.
The World Percussion Group
The World Percussion Group represents one chapter in the evolution of the Maraca2 duo and was an idea that began to take form in 2014. The members of the WPG are selected by audition from hundreds of applicants worldwide and represent the very best young percussion players. The mission of the WPG is not just to inspire audiences and students but to give an international platform to the best percussionists of the next generation, providing an opportunity for cultural sharing and professional development.
Selected WPG members deliver their own presentations, clinics, lessons, performances, and masterclasses. WPG put together a touring ensemble that deliver an extremely high quality ‘mobile percussion festival’ to the educational market.
Since its inception, the WPG has traveled some 30 thousand miles, presented some 35 residencies, showcased over 40 International Artists, received over 2 million video views online and 4 thousand shares on social media. Tours include extensive trips across the USA, Baltic Capitals and Europe. To date the WPG has hosted several outstanding musicians within the percussion medium. To name a few; Grammy nominated percussionist Ksenija Komljenovic, YouTube sensation and percussionist Joe Porter with 5 million subscribers and Taiwanese starlets Twincussion who have established themselves as a household name within the percussion world, delivering multiple global tours aided by the Taiwanese government.
The World Percussion group would like to thank Sabian cymbals, Marimba One marimbas, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, Remo drum heads, Tapspace Publications, Black Swamp Percussion and the Pearl Drum Corporation for their support.
WPG are a keen supporter of the 'Lift Music Fund' and will feature the project in the next 2024 tour. Lift Music Fund makes achievement in music more accessible and equitable. They do that by helping underrepresented students overcome the barriers, financial and otherwise, to pursue a career in music.
Testimonials:
WPG 2019 Review WPG 2017 Review