Noteworthy

Nick Matthiesen’s path to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra wasn’t a lifelong plan—it was a series of unexpected discoveries. “I was actually gifted a drum set from a family friend when I was 14,” Nick recalls. “My parents let me keep it under the caveat that I would take lessons.” Though his early years behind the drum set didn’t ignite a deep passion, they set the stage for what would become a remarkable journey into classical percussion.

It wasn’t until Nick entered college and began classical percussion lessons—a requirement for his music degree—that everything clicked. “Once I started studying classical percussion exclusively, that was the moment I decided I wanted to pursue being in an orchestra for a living,” he says. Fast forward, and Nick is now the Assistant Principal Percussionist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where his craft combines precision, creativity, and a love for collaboration.

One of Nick’s most memorable moments with the TSO so far was performing Mahler’s Third Symphony under Gustavo Gimeno. “The orchestra sounded absolutely amazing. It was such an honor to play that piece I’ve admired for so many years.” 

Nick’s connection to the TSO goes beyond the music. The orchestra’s audiences hold a special place in his heart, particularly when those connections spill into daily life. “I love when we finish a performance, and I’m on the subway home, and a patron stops me to say it was the most amazing thing they’d ever seen. To me, that’s pretty special.”

Nick’s role as a percussionist is as much about choosing the right sound as it is about playing. “Our biggest job in the orchestra is picking colors, picking sounds that match the repertoire, the moment, and the other instruments,” he explains.

Learn more about Nick in our latest installment of Meet the Orchestra: