Tuned and un-tuned percussion
Tim Irrgang began studying drums in 1986, and tuned percussion in 1992. He completed his Bachelor of Music (Hons) in 1996. During this time he gained valuable experience playing in the Adelaide University Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Big Band,The Adelaide Connection (jazz vocal group), and The Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. In 96 he spent a month at ISSU University, Yogyarkata, Indonesia, with fellow Adelaide percussionists on a cultural exchange.
While at University, Tim & fellow students formed a quartet called ‘The Rhythm Works’. They played at the 98 Fringe Festival, performed live on radio and TV, were actively involved in the ASME National Conference in 2001, and were part of the Musica Viva in Schools programme until 2017. In 2006 they toured Australia and Singapore.
In December 1999 Tim travelled to South Africa with the Australian Aboriginal Jazz Connection – Warkala, to perform at WOMAD – Living Treasures Festival in Durban, as well as The Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Mamelodi & also performances in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The tour also included performances with some of the local artists.
As part of the Hormingo Ensemble, Tim was involved in the Elder Conservatorium Evening and Lunchtime Concert series, Sunday Salon at the Festival Theatre and the Bundaleer Forest Music Festival. They were the first group to be part of the Musica Viva, Menage Series. In 2001 they travelled to Malaysia with state trade delegates to provide entertainment for official functions held in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Tim has played with The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as part of the Adelaide Festival of the Arts with their Symphony “Under the Stars” in 2004. Further work followed, including The Australian Ballet, The Zep Boys ‘Led Zeppelin Tribute’ and The ASO’s Masters Series. He continues to work with the orchestra on a casual basis.
Tim has also had the opportunity to perform with The South Australian Police Band, Etype jazz, Lucifer’s Lounge, Cathie Renner, J.C. Jazz, The Australian Girls Choir, Orianthi, Boogiemen, Flat on your Bacherach, Akhter Jahan, and Rataque. Events include the Glenelg Jazz Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Cabaret & Arts Festivals, Bundaleer Forest Music Festival, Come Out Festival, Tour Down Under, Tasting Australia, and WOMADelaide. In 2005 Tim was adjudicator for percussion competitions at the National Band Championships, and performed for Cirque Du Soleil ‘Quidam’ for the majority of the Adelaide season.
In 2012 Tim spent 3 months working for The Royal Guard of Oman. This included directing a 70+ piece drum corps and teaching on the palace grounds at the ROSO (Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra) Music School, which His Majesty Sultan Qaboos set up for children to study, with a focus on music.
Tim regularly performed on both drum kit and percussion with numerous groups including Unitopia, The Liars Bench, Fig Jam, The Bob Johnson Big Band, TWIT (Thompson, Whitney, Irrgang Trio) and Taylor Made – a James Taylor tribute show that Sean Timms is also a member.
Currently Tim is a member of UPF and the Raiders Drum Corps, and performs with Kelly Menhennett and occasionally with Laura Hill. Performances with Kelly Menhennett include Coonawarra Arts Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Semaphore Music Festival and WOMADeldaide.
Up until May 2017 Tim also tutored privately and at some of Adelaide’s leading colleges, and has also been employed by Adelaide University to tutor in the Diploma of Education (percussion workshops) and CASM (Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music). He ran the only steelband in South Australia at one of the schools he taught at, and directed 7 ensembles including Concert Bands and Percussion Ensembles.
At the end of May 2017 Tim had a career change and is currently working as a Security Officer after a 9 week training course. He runs his own percussion hire business, and when time allows, enjoys running, mountain biking and other physical activities.
