Mark Guthrie

Mark Guthrie is Principal Timpanist and Artist in Residence of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Guthrie is also on the faculty of Kalamazoo College, adjunct Faculty for Western Michigan University, and performs in the Kalamazoo Symphony Percussion Duo.  He is known for his masterclasses and clinics around the US.  During the summers Mr. Guthrie performs as Principal Timpanist with the Bellingham Festival Orchestra, and The Hamptons Festival of Music.

In 1984, Mr. Guthrie founded Precision Classic Timpani.  As a timpanist, he wanted timpani that would be portable, and have a chain drive system that was smooth and efficient in design. The current chain system has been developed so that the timpani can be tuned at each lug station with a tuning key.  As Mr. Guthrie has stated, “My main goal was to have a chain timpani that fine tunes the same way as my Dresden Timpani.”  Additionally this system easily accommodates single hand tuning.  This mechanism has been produced along with a proven bowl design that gives the performer the ultimate sound and reliability.   

In 2018, Mr. Guthrie decided to expand the company from PCT Chain timpani and timpani refurbishing to add the Precision Classic Dresden Pedal Timpani line.  He used all the knowledge from restoring hundreds of timpani to provide the timpanist a smoother pedal movement, a rich and distinct sound quality in the instruments, and new adjustable Tilt Board Levelers.   This effort created a set of timpani that combine amazing sound, an unbelievable price point, and 100% American parts and labor. Timpanists also need their own personality in their timpani so we offer a variety of bowl patinas, and frame colors to suit any style.

Mr. Guthrie has previously performed as Timpanist with The Cleveland Orchestra, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Bellingham Festival Orchestra, The Hamptons Festival of Music, South Bend Symphony, I Musici de Montreal, Indiana Symphony, Toledo Opera Association Orchestra, Michigan Bach Festival, and Bach Festival Orchestra.  Additionally Mark holds two degrees in Music and for many years was a private student of the legendary Cloyd Duff.

Precision Classic Timpani “Made by Musicians, For Musicians”