Wilkinson, Charles “Charley” (4th October 1955-Present)

Percussionist born Charles Earl Wilkinson III in Howell, Michigan who attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts, graduating in 1973, and went on to become the assistant principal percussionist and timpanist with the National Symphony Orchestra.

On 16^th November 1975, he performed “Elegy for Bernd Alois Zimmerman” by Eugene O’Brian and “The Joiner and the Die-Hard” by Kenneth Timm at the Cleveland State University Main Classroom Auditorium. He returned on 31^st October 1976 to perform Larry Baker’s “Musicpiece 8/14/76”. He became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra in 1979.

Recordings on which he has appeared include: Donald Erb/John Rodby; Festive Christmas by The Cleveland Institute of Music Harp Ensemble; Handel: The Complete Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks; It’s Good to Be the King: Musical Delights for Kings, Queens, Princes and Royalty; Light’s Glittering Morn: A Musical Celebration; Kilo Ali’s Organized Bass; and, Dave Brubeck’s To Hope! A Celebration.

On 5^th April 2006, the NSO and Emanuel Ax performed Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37”, which was sandwiched between Samuel Barber’s “Medea’s Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23a” and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27”.

Charles participated in the NSO’s Kentucky Residency in February 2011. Their itinerary included stops in Florence, Lexington, Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah and Somerset for performances of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60”, Aaron Copland’s suite from Appalachian Spring, Michael Daugherty’s “Route 66”, and highlights from Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe.

Paul Hill Chorale recordings
O Come All Ye Faithful (Frederick Oakeley/John Francis Wade)
Arranger – Jackson Berkey
Conductor – Paul Hill
Organist – Sondra Proctor
National Capital Brass and Percussion Ensemble

Sources:

Wilkinson, Charles “Charley” (4th October 1955-Present)

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