Patrick King

Co-Principal Timpani

Member since 2023 | Head of Percussion at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

‘The first symphony orchestra I ever watched was the LSO! They came to my home city of Norwich and our family friend (Jonathan Lipton, former horn player with the LSO) arranged for me to watch the rehearsal. I was transfixed with the timpani and percussion and immediately thought ‘wouldn’t that be an amazing job!’

Alongside his role at the LSO, Patrick is also Head of Percussion at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a post he has held since 2018. Previously he was Principal Timpanist of Welsh National Opera from 2008-2022.

Patrick studied at the Royal College of Music and on graduating received the Director’s Prize for musical contribution. While at the RCM he was a member of The European Union Youth Orchestra, and then went on to a freelance career which involved playing with the majority of orchestras throughout the UK. Patrick was percussion finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2001, and winner of the London Symphony Orchestra St Luke’s Academy which led to freelancing at the LSO.

As an educator, Patrick has tutored the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and has given masterclasses throughout the UK, including the RCM Day of Percussion. Equally passionate about outreach work, Patrick is artistic director of Children’s Musical Adventures, a company devoted to music for young people. Patrick is an ambassador for The Benedetti Foundation, and enjoys taking the joy of music to as many people as possible.

Outside of music Patrick is a magician and a proud Member of The Magic Circle. He is an all year round surfer and loves spending time with his young family, which keeps him very busy!