25 May 2018
Percussionist Nigel Shipway was a dedicated member of the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, he was highly respected throughout the music industry, his convivial nature and professionalism was appreciated by all those who knew and worked with him. He passed away on 2nd of May at the age of 65. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his friends, family and loved ones at this sad time.
If you would like to pay tribute to Nigel an online Memory Giving page has been set up in his honour, with all donations going to the Royal Society of Musicians, a charity that Nigel supported all of this working life.
To visit the page please click here
A tribute from John Eliot Gardiner
‘Orchestral percussionists are a rare breed. Unlike the ubiquitous strings, the starry woodwind and gregarious brass, percussionists are often loners, coming in ones and twos, or more rarely in 4s or 5s. They always strike me as colourful characters utterly absorbed in their craft and inordinately proud of their multiple skills and range of instruments. Numerically they have a disproportionate impact on orchestral textures in terms of sudden bursts of exotic sonic colour - and, of course, decibels.
Until his sad death last week Nigel Shipway was the living embodiment of these traits. He took immense pride in all that he did, making valuable strategic contributions to the musical performances in many ORR projects over the years. His highly personal choice of historic instruments was always meticulously researched and well judged and he always defended his patch with gusto and a mordant wit. Like many ORR members, I imagine, I treasure several fond memories of Nigel, most vivid of all the imperturbable way he stepped forward in Pisa Cathedral to play the triangle in the scherzo of Brahms 4. He will be sorely missed.’
