Spices, Perfumes, Toxins! 8.8.09
GALEN LEMMON, PERCUSSION
Galen Lemmon has performed and taught in the Bay area for over 35 years. He was awarded a position in the San José Symphony when only 19 years old, and just three years later was named its Principal Percussionist. He currently holds the position of Principal Percussionist with Symphony Silicon Valley, Ballet Silicon Valley, and the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra.
Lemmon has always been active in orchestra musician causes and was President of Musicians Local 153 for almost six years. His no-nonsense approach, honesty, and ability to listen to the other side was instrumental in first-time collective bargaining agreements with American Musical Theatre, Opera San José and West Opera. When the San José Symphony went bankrupt in 2002, Lemmon led the drive to raise $125,000 to save the symphony’s music library and ensure it’s continuation as a resource for the community. His sons helped to physically move the entire library to a safe location. He is currently Treasurer of the San José Symphonic Music Library. With the start up of Symphony Silicon Valley, Lemmon was appointed Principal Percussion.
Lemmon records regularly at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County. Recordings include commercials, Universal Studio rides, Disney and movie soundtracks. He can be heard on the latest Simpsons’ video game and Star Wars video game. His movie credits include In the Electric Mist, Judgement Night, Ricochet, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, 17 Again and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.
Lemmon has performed with every professional orchestra in the Bay area, including touring and recording with the San Francisco Symphony. He has been featured as a soloist with the San José Symphony Pops, the San José Brass Quintet Plus One, the San José State University Wind Ensemble (on three occasions), the SJSU Symphony Orchestra, the Pacific Chamber Orchestra, the San José Symphonic Band and the Ohlone Wind Orchestra.
Coordinator of percussion studies at San José State University, Lemmon is also Director of the U Music Percussion Program in Fremont, California, and rehearses six percussion ensembles a week, in addition to a heavy teaching schedule. His high school and junior high school students are always among the top in the state of California. He has participated numerous times at California Music Educators Conferences in the Bay area, as well as Sacramento and Los Angeles. Lemmon is a past California Artist-in-Residence grant recipient.
Photo: rr jones
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