Neil Hitt

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The Orchestra

Neil Hitt

Section Leader, Timpani
Adopted by Lorna E Dobson

Timpanist Neil Hitt joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 1992, immediately after graduating from his studies with Janos Keszei at the Royal College of Music.

Over his career, Neil has undertaken freelance work as a guest timpanist with other UK orchestras. Highlights of his time with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra include taking to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in the BBC Proms, performing Shostakovich with Vasily Petrenko and working with conductor Tod Handley.

Fun Fact:
Outside of work, Neil enjoys following football, spending time with family and his dog Basil, cracking cryptic crosswords and reading good detective fiction. If he hadn’t pursued a career in music, he would have joined the army.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to 60's pop music and trying to join in with my Mum's knitting needles and the cushions from our sofa - that was my first 'drum kit'.

Who is your biggest musical inspiration and why?

There are so many, but my Timpani teacher János Keszei really stands out. He gave me a thorough grounding both musically and technically.

What is your most memorable moment with the Orchestra?

There are simply too many to single out just one! However, I would have to say meeting my wife, who used to be a member of the 2nd violins, and actually being offered the Timpani job!

What is the best thing about being a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra?

Playing my instrument in the best music ever written and playing in such a great orchestra as ours. It is such a privilege.

What would you consider to be the most fun piece to play on timpani?
Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring is hard to beat!

What repertoire would you like to perform in future?
Janáček, Bartok, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart. More opera?

What was your inspiration to start playing timpani?
Playing drum kit with my brother in our rock band when we were 11/12 years old. My earliest memories are playing on pots and pans from my parents’ kitchen. I started playing timpani in a local orchestra when I was 11 and loved it!

Do you play any other instruments?
Piano

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not performing on stage?
In my spare time I like spending time with my wife, son and our dog and following Millwall Football Club.