François Combémorel
Associate Principal Percussion & Timpani
François joined WASO in 2018.
François began music at the age of five with piano and discovered percussion when he was fourteen learning from Georges Van Gucht, foundation member of Percussions de Strasbourg. He studied at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Lyon with François Dupin graduating with a Masters in Percussion. During this time François was selected for three years consecutively with the French Youth Orchestra.
François enjoyed a successful freelance career playing with orchestras such as Lyon, Monte Carlo, Strasbourg, Marseilles, New Zealand and Melbourne Symphonic Orchestras, Camerata of St John’s, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa and Tongyeong Festival Orchestra. He was Co-Principal Timpanist and Soloist Percussion at the National Orchestra of Porto for a year.
As a chamber musician and soloist François was a member of Percussions Claviers de Lyon, Symblema and Octobone- brass band directed by international trombone soloist Michel Becquet. He was a soloist with contemporary company Polychronies and worked in multidisciplinary companies La Liseuse and Piano & Co. Francois has also played in experimental rock bands and explored improvisation projects such as Biocide and Tout Est Bon Dans Le Cochon. In Australia he has played and created with Collusion Music, Ensemble 3 Ways 2 1 and Early Warning System.
François was a tutor at the National Conservatoire of Toulon, Queensland Conservatorium and has been a tutor for the Australian and Queensland Youth Orchestras.
Francois’ chair is supported by Jim & Freda Irenic through the Duet program.