World-class timpanist David Herbert has been a staple in the highly acclaimed San Francisco Symphony for nearly two decades. He is widely considered the “leader of cutting –edge solo timpani repertoire,” and has toured all over the world with premiere musicians and as a soloist. But next season, due to the inability and unwillingness of San Francisco Symphony Management to communicate with musicians about the allocation of millions of dollars in funds, Herbert will be leaving San Francisco to join the Chicago Symphony.

Behind the Scenes at the San Francisco Symphony

by David Herbert

For eighteen years, I have had the incredible opportunity and privilege to serve as Principal Timpani of the San Francisco Symphony. These years have been the best years of my musical life. As a member of this world class orchestra I have shared with my colleagues the honor of winning multiple Grammy Awards.

Unfortunately there has grown, over time, a cultural disconnect between the San Francisco Symphony Management and the musicians of the orchestra who make the music come to life. The increased divide between my colleagues’ service to the music and the failure of the San Francisco Symphony Management to recognize such commitment has been disheartening.