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Tim Adams and Tom Freer - A Brotherhood
OISEAUX EXOTIQUES - for most of us, that name represents the masterpiece by Olivier Messiaen written in 1956. For Tim Adams and Tom Freer, this name represents something completely different - a lifelong friendship and brotherhood that began in 1978. Tom and Tim attended the Cleveland Institute of Music together in the late 1970's and early 1980's, and studied with master timpanist, Cloyd Duff. As students they shared similar dreams, to play professionally in a symphony orchestra. After many auditions, and a tremendous amount of hard work, focus and drive, their dreams became a reality; Tim a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Tom a member of the Cleveland Orchestra. Both Tom and Tim love the art of teaching, and each summer, share responsibilities at the Cloyd Duff Master class.
Tim is well known for his diversity, and can be found playing, teaching and composing in just about every genre of music imaginable. Along with his position as timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, he is head of the percussion department at Carnegie Mellon University and the Brevard Summer Music Center. He feels strongly about the diversity of Zildjian cymbals, and says, "From the marching band, concert band, student orchestra and jazz band, I strongly recommend Zildjian cymbals to all my students at all levels."
Tim is an avid drum set player as well, and currently plays regularly with his jazz quartet, R and B quintet and guitar and percussion duo. His drum set cymbal choices are K Constantinople Rides, Z Custom and K Dark Crashes, K Splashes and K HiHats. He has also recently written, and will soon perform, a work incorporating over twenty Zildjian cymbals and gongs. The piece, for prepared tape and solo percussionist, can be thought of as a tribute to the relationship he has developed and maintained with the Zildjian Company. Tim says, "In all genres of music, I can express myself best with Zildjian cymbals."
As well as having a successful playing and teaching career as the assistant principal timpanist/section percussionist of the Cleveland Orchestra, and the coordinator of percussion studies at Cleveland State University, Tom Freer's creativity goes far beyond that of a player and teacher - Tom Freer is a successful inventor. But, fortunately for us, he is not your typical inventor of strange household gadgets - Tom focuses his inventive energy on the unique sounds of percussion instruments! His inventions come from a player's perspective, and he says "I felt limited to the instruments available to me and on the market. I began manipulating and modifying what existed, rather then settling for a sound that didn't work for me."
Tom has advised numerous companies, and, most recently (along with the Vienna Philharmonic) worked with the Zildjian Company to help create the new K Constantinople Vintage Orchestral Cymbal Pairs. Tom worked closely with head cymbal maker Paul Francis in the research and development process, and remarked, "the communication I have with Paul is remarkable. For someone who is so busy, it was great for him to take so much time with a project that is as esoteric as this." Tom's enthusiasm for the project was impressive, and he actually attempted to temper cymbals in his own oven to help darken the sound. "Even though heating a cymbal destroys the sound," says Paul Francis, "I gave Tom an 'A' for effort."
In 2003, Tom enjoyed a residency from October 25 - November 1 in Vienna, Austria, with the Cleveland Orchestra. Conductor Franz Welser-Mast led the orchestra in five concerts in the Vienna Philharmonic's legendary Musikvereinsaal. This hall is also featured in Zildjian's current advertisement for the K Constantinople Vintage Orchestral Cymbals. Something else Tim Adams and Tom Freer have in common - the Zildjian Company - a bond...a tie, a long lasting relationship with a company that has had a long lasting history with making the greatest and most expressive orchestral cymbals for the past 380 years. And the connection between the Oiseaux Exotiques and Tom and Tim - it isn't what you may think. "Exotic Birds" is the rock band Tom and Tim formed for a Valentines day dance at the Cleveland Institute of Music! Amazingly, the band snowballed quickly securing a record contract and an MTV video. Tim and Tom - great musicians with diversity, creativity, and a brotherhood with the Zildjian Company.
This article was originally printed in the Spring 2004 Orchestral Newsletter.
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