The Percussive Arts Society announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2018, which will posthumously recognize UCLA percussion instructor Mitchell Peters (LA Philharmonic/educator/composer), as well as Joe Porcaro (famed LA studio musician) and Richard Weiner (Cleveland Symphony). The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Thursday, November 15, 2018 in Indianapolis.
“On behalf of the PAS Board of Directors, I want to congratulate Richard, Joe, and the family, colleagues, and students of Mitchell. These three gentlemen are truly giants in our field, and I am thrilled they will be inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame in November at PASIC 2018.” — Joshua Simonds, PAS Executive Director
Mitchell Peters, a prodigious composer, recording artist, music professor, and former principal timpanist and percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, passed away on October 28 in Encinitas, CA, at the age of 82. Peters was the percussion instructor at UCLA from 1984 -2012
Peters joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a percussionist in 1969, became its co-principal percussionist from 1973 to 1982, and retired as its principal timpanist and percussionist in 2006. He performed under such conductors as Zubin Mehta, Carlo-Maria Giulini, André Previn, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Sir Simon Rattle, John Williams, Michael Tilson Thomas, and countless others.
Peters recorded extensively with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Dallas Symphony, in addition to various appearances on motion picture and television soundtracks. His timpani playing can be heard on ABC’s World News Tonight‘s opening theme, in the movie 2010: The Year We Make Contact, and the original Battlestar Galactica.
About the PAS Hall of Fame
The Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame was established in 1972 to recognize the contributions of the most highly regarded leaders in percussion performance, education, research, scholarship, administration, composition, and the industry. Inductees demonstrate the highest ideals and professional integrity to their profession to bring about significant events, substantive improvements in the world of percussion, and the betterment of the profession through exemplary services or acts.