Harp, Percussion & Keyboard

Fred Morgan

Percussion

Fred has been a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra as second percussionist since October 2012. He also has performed as principal timpanist of the Duluth Superior Symphony since 2008. Fred’s further professional engagements include performing with the Detroit Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Fred received his bachelor’s degree in percussion performance in 2002 under the study of Jack Van Geem at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and received his master’s degree at the New England Conservatory under the tutelage of Will Hudgins. After the completion of his graduate study he returned to his hometown of San Francisco to study timpani performance further with current Chicago Symphony timpanist David Herbert. His other instructors include James Lee Wyatt, Andrew Lewis, and jazz drummer Alan Hall.

In 2003, Fred won the first prize in the Oakland Symphony’s Young Artist Competition, and as winner performed William Kraft’s Timpani Concerto with the orchestra. He was also a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra from 1997-2002. In addition, Fred has participated in numerous music festivals throughout the world, including Spoleto USA, Aspen, Schleswig-Holstein, timpanist with the National Repertory Orchestra, Jeunesses Musicales, Midsummer Mozart, and Bear Valley.

As a San Francisco native, Fred spends most of his time between Tucson and San Francisco. During the summer months he currently performs with West Edge Opera in the East Bay.