Joined the RPO in 1971
Well-known as a percussion teacher and performing musician, John McNeill is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with John Beck and the Wesleyan University World Music Program. McNeill's first concert with the RPO was in 1968 and he was appointed third percussion in 1971. He has performed with such conductors and artists as Aaron Copland, David Zinman, Arthur Fiedler, Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Dizzy Gillespie, Canadian Brass, and the Moody Blues. He is recently retired from the faculties of Roberts Wesleyan College and the State University of New York at Oswego after 38 years of teaching.