10/30/2026
FEATURE FRIDAY:
Gary Dahl, Principal Timpani, Associate Conductor
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I can’t remember a time when music wasn’t a part of my life. My earliest memories are snippets of music from childhood, including that of a music box above my crib. My parents gave me a children’s record player and records, which I can still listen to in my mind.
There was music all around me, in our home, our church, and eventually in school. Most thrilling were those golden-age movie musicals—surely Julie Andrews was sent from heaven! I began piano lessons at age 9, and the following year, playing percussion in band…and soon there was choir too. My parents wanted me to choose just one, but I just couldn’t.
Timpani had become my favorite instrument in band, which opened the door to joining orchestra at PLU. I loved being surrounded by the sound of the orchestra. I felt like I was inside a Disney movie! The following 40 years were filled with teaching music in schools, conducting and playing in community orchestras, bands, operas and musical theater productions.
Despite my focus on classical music, I enjoy every genre. Don’t be surprised when you see me playing bass in our bluegrass group at Silverdale Lutheran, the SLiCk Pickers!
Gary Dahl, Principal Timpani, Associate Conductor
📸: Photography by Perdita
