Stephen Eelhart

Percussion

Stephen is active as both a percussionist and timpanist in symphonic and chamber repertoire, theatre productions and historically informed performance practice. After finishing a bachelors degree in percussion at Wilfrid Laurier University, he continued his studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hauge, Netherlands where he specialised in old music on authentic period instruments. Through his 24 years of work with ensembles in Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Germany he grained valuable context behind much of the repertoire that we present in our concerts with the GSO. It was a with great pride that in 2025 Stephen joined the GSO, in the city of his birth, for is first concert after returning to Canada. It is wonderful to be back home in the beautiful city of Guelph.

What inspired you to pick up your instrument for the first time, and how has your journey evolved since then?
Like many percussionists, Stephen began as a drumset player. Through school music programmes and youth orchestras he soon after came to appreciate the richness of sounds found in larger ensembles and began to explore the world of classical modern percussion. As an extension to this path he then embarked a journey into the parchments of baroque timpani and percussion.

How do you prepare mentally and physically before a big concert?
Once all the instruments are checked and prepared for the stage, Stephen irons his concert shirt. It provides a moment calm focus for the upcoming performance that gives him the mental space to ensure all details have been considered and arranged.

Who is your favorite composer, and what piece of theirs do you love playing the most?
J.S. Bach: b- mass. Christoph Graupner: Gott sei uns gnädig. Carl Orff: Carmina Burana

If you couldn’t be a musician, what would you want to do?
Stephen may have missed his true calling in life: full time ski-bum.