Knowing 50 percussion instruments has helped Andrew Busch stand out from the rest

Andrew Busch says he has played around 50 instruments throughout his career as a percussionist.

Busch, who's originally from Amherstburg, Ont., was named to the 2024 edition of CBC Music's30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30.

The 23-year-old says he got his start in music like many other kids, playing piano. Then after a few years of lessons, he slowly became more involved with the marching band scene. Throughout his teenage years, he played with The Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps, where he found his passion for rudimental and snare drumming.

"I took that passion and dove into classical percussion and decided to pursue it as a career," he said.

LISTEN: Andrew Busch joins Windsor Morning 

Bob Thwaites, founder, corps director and drum instructor of The Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps, remembers Busch joining the corps at nine years old, when the drum was almost as big as him.

"It really showed the beginnings of his determination to be the best. I have taught kids for about 50 years now, and he is definitely one of the best I've ever taught," Thwaites said. "He was highly competitive within himself without appearing to be a competitive person. He certainly wasn't arrogant and He was a pleasure to teach."

The Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps play on the riverfront in Windsor, Ont. on July 1, 2015 (The Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps)

Busch left the Windsor area for London, Ont., completing his undergraduate degree in percussion performance at Western University. He then took it further and pursued a master's degree in percussion at the University of Toronto.

'Running around in the back'

In a concert setting, the percussionist can feel like a jack-of-all-trades. Depending on the piece of music, Busch says he can play up to 10 instruments.

"I think for some of the more standard repertoire in orchestra, I would say two, three or four," he said, "But for some of the newer [and more] contemporary pieces, it could be anywhere from from one to 10, sometimes even more than that."

As a percussionist, Busch says there's usually a lot of ground to cover as he's often given the job of running around in the back of the orchestra and creating all of the sound effects.

"A lot of composers have these sound effects in their mind [using] very niche instruments that only do one thing," he said.

Having played dozens of different percussion instruments throughout his career, he certainly has a favourite and least favourite.

His favourite? The marimba. His least favourite? The crotales, which are cymbals.

"I love to play marimba. I think it's a beautiful instrument. It's really virtuosic and colourful."

Distinguishing yourself

In a field of classical percussionists who are all vying for the same handful of spots in orchestra settings, Busch has made sure to distinguish himself from the rest.

"I've had a lot of experience in areas of percussion that aren't just classical. I've done a lot of work in the marching arts education. I was performing in marching bands and bugle corps in the [United] States competitively in my late teens and early 20s," he said.

In Canada, he says, marching band education and training is difficult to get into, especially at a younger age. To Busch, it's yet another skill he's been able to add to his repertoire.

'Learn a fair bit of patience'

For younger musicians looking to get to the same level, Busch says he has two pieces of advice. Work hard and learn a fair bit of patience.

Looking back, he says he would try to learn instruments and nail down techniques much quicker than what was realistically possible.

"I think knowing that these things take some time helps take the pressure off. So be patient and work hard and be diligent."