A Sad Day in the Percussion World

Today the percussion world lost one of our dearest friends and finest musicians. John Wyre, a founder and former member of the percussion group Nexus, died today having suffered for more than a year with throat cancer and recently also with Parkinson's disease. John was raised in Philadelphia where he studied with Fred Hinger, and later studied at the Eastman School of Music with William Street. He was the timpanist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for 11 years and performed and toured with numerous well-known ensembles over the past 40+ years. John was the music director of World Drums and produced several international drumming festivals during the past 25 years. His compositions received great acclaim and have been performed by many renowned ensembles.

John was one of the nicest people I have ever known, a very kind soul and an extremely intelligent man. I will cherish my memories of the times I was with him and had talks with him. He will be missed dearly by many, many people.