Fred D. Hinger (February 9, 1920 â January 10, 2001) was an American timpanist, percussion educator, and instrument designer. He held the principal timpani chairs of two of the world's leading orchestrasâÂÂthe Philadelphia Orchestra (1951âÂÂ1967) and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (1967âÂÂ1983)âÂÂand was a longtime faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. Hinger was recognized internationally as an authority on timpani performance and instrument design, and his innovationsâÂÂincluding the rotating timpani bowl and sliding-weight mallet systemâÂÂinfluenced orchestral percussion practice worldwide. He was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1986.
Hinger was born on February 9, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where he majored in music education and percussion, studying under percussionist William Street. While at Eastman, Hinger performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor José Iturbi. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1941.
After graduating from Eastman, Hinger served as percussionist and xylophone soloist with the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. from 1942 to 1948.
In 1948, Hinger was invited to audition for the Philadelphia Orchestra and was appointed principal percussionist. In 1951, he accepted the orchestra's principal timpani position, which he held for 16 years until 1967.
In 1967, Hinger left the Philadelphia Orchestra to become principal timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City, a position he held until his retirement in 1983. He joined American Federation of Musicians Local 802 upon moving to New York in 1967.
Hinger taught at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia for approximately 15 years during his tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also held teaching positions at the Manhattan School of Music and the Yale School of Music.
Hinger maintained a private teaching studio at his home in Leonia, New Jersey.
Hinger was a prolific instrument designer and inventor. In the early 1960s, he registered the Hinger and Touch-Tone trademarks and founded the Hinger Touch-Tone Corporation, which manufactured timpani mallets and percussion equipment.
His innovations included:
Between 1967 and 1970, Hinger handcrafted several drums in his apartment in Fort Lee, New Jersey. His mallet designs continue to be manufactured as the Fred Hinger Touch-Tone Timpani Series by Malletech.
Hinger authored instructional works that became standard references in the field of timpani performance:
Hinger died on January 10, 2001, in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife, Marjorie Jean, children William and Shirley, and six grandchildren.