Nick Woud

Nick Woud began his percussion studies at the age of eight at the Zaandam Music School. Playing in local drum and wind bands, he was able to fulfil his dream of playing the timpani starting at the age of twelve. While at school, he became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands and was quickly appointed timpanist.

After leaving school in 1973, he studied timpani with Jan Labordus of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and later with Jan Pustjens at the conservatory in Amsterdam. During that time, he stood in frequently as a percussionist with the RCO, the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra (as timpanist) and all the other major Dutch orchestras. Obtaining his conservatory diploma in four years’ time (in 1977), he was appointed percussionist/timpanist with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and was named principal timpanist six years later.

In 2003, after being a member of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra for twenty-five years, Woud won the RCO timpani auditions and was appointed principal timpanist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Woud has taught at the conservatories in Hilversum and Utrecht and returned to his alma mater, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, to teach timpani in 1996. In addition to these activities, he serves as director of studies with the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands, writes books on timpani, composes and makes timpani sticks. Woud is married and has two strapping sons.