Fred D. Hinger

Fred D. Hinger (February 9, 1920 – 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 orchestras—the Philadelphia Orchestra (1951–1967) and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (1967–1983)—and 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 innovations—including the rotating timpani bowl and sliding-weight mallet system—influenced orchestral percussion practice worldwide. He was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1986. 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 also held teaching positions at the Manhattan School of Music and the Yale School of Music.

Instrument design and innovations 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: The rotating timpani bowl, which allows the player to change beating spots without disturbing the drumhead

Awards and honors Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, inducted 1986

Personal life and death 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.