Thoughts and prayers extended to the family and friends
of Everett “Vic” Firth (1930 – 2015). His name is amongst the notables in the
lexicon of Percussion, contributing significantly as a performer (member of the
Boston Symphony Orchestra for over fifty-years), holding distinguished teaching
positions at the New England Conservatory and Tanglewood Institute, and creating/developing
one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sticks and mallets.
Firth was born in Winchester, Massachusetts and raised in
Sanford, Maine. He was the son of a successful trumpet and cornet player.
Starting on cornet at the age of four, Vic Firth took lessons on a variety of
instruments – eventually playing percussion “full-time” by high school. Firth
would become the youngest member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and during
his tenure he performed for some of the world’s legendary conductors.
Vic Firth’s products and website are widely recognized.
Many of his students are teaching in Colleges and Universities, performing as
successful recording and touring artists, and holding positions in fine
orchestras. His outstanding entrepreneurship reaches world-wide, affecting teachers
and students every day. He will certainly be missed, but his legacy will
continue.
-Daniel Smithiger (BSP Education Consultant)
