Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 485 - Jake Nissly

Episode 485 - Jake Nissly Pete's Percussion Podcast Principal Percussionist with the San Francisco Symphony and Director of Percussion Studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Jake Nissly stops by to talk about both of his positions, the orchestral auditions process, his mentors, being versatile in many genres of percussion, and his experiences with the Detroit and Cleveland Symphonies (03:30), specifics about the Principal Percussion Duties and the excellence of Davies Symphony Hall (28:30), his teaching position and his recent commissioning projects (35:15), growing up in Iowa, having family in the arts, being a highly motivated young person, making early connections to Northwestern (IL) and percussion versatility (45:50), his undergrad years at Northwestern and studying with Michael Burritt (01:04:10), going to Juilliard (NYC), freelancing in New York, and eventually earning a spot in the New World Symphony (01:14:00), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on working with young composers, his personal commitment to physical and mental health and long-distance running all over the world, lots of great books, memorable Chicago Cubs moments in his life, coaching his son’s baseball team, and the excellence of Steve Reich (01:20:15).Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films (01:58:40).Jake Nissly links:Jake’s SFSO pageJake’s SFCM pageJake’s Vic Firth pageJake’s Aspen Music Festival pageLosing Earth - Adam SchoenbergPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Will James in 2017Steven Schick in 2025Patti Niemi in 2018Matthew Coley in 2021Eric Hollenbeck in 2025David Skidmore in 2025Sean Connors in 2025Peter Martin in 2025Robert Dillon in 2025Other Links:Percussion Concerto - Andy AkihoKatherine SiochiRene OrthPEAUX from Pleades - Iannis XenakisDoug PerkinsMichael Tilson Thomas“Suire for Violin and American Gamelan” - Lou HarrisonSan Francisco Symphony MusiciansMichael BurrittPaul WerticoJames RossGregory ZuberDaniel DruckmanRoland KohloffJoseph PetrasekRobert KliegerEric RenickMichael IsraelievitchSergio CarrenoRichard WeinerMarc DamoulakisCalifornia Percussion & Backline RentalsHow to Write for Percussion - Sam SolomonDavies Symphony HallJack van GeemHaruka FujiTito MuñozClair Omar MusserColts Drum & Bugle CorpsWoody SmithMichael Pfaff (“Tortilla Man”)Bill StewartDave Weckl“If I Wanted To” - Melissa Etheridge“Kiss from a Rose” - Seal“Third Construction” - John CageKris KeetonAnnie Stevens“Michi” - Keiko AbeEric GarciaBrett Dietz“Kin” - Pat MethenyThe Usual Suspects trailerGhostbusters trailerGroundhog Dog trailerThe Matrix trailerBarbie trailer1984 - George OrwellOn the Road - Jack KerouacKafka on the Shore - Haruki MarukamiAbsolutely on Music: Conversations on Seiji Ozawa - Haruki MarukamiMusic Has a Right to Children - Boards of CanadaCubs win the World SeriesThe Bartman IncidentB-Bop’sMusic for 18 Musicians - Steve ReichMallet Quartet - Steve ReichDrumming: Part 1 - Steve ReichMusic for Pieces of Wood - Steve ReichClapping Music - Steve ReichRaves:The 2026 Oscars Animated Film Shorts Nominees