Prof. Siegfried SCHMID, percussionist

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Born in 1937, Siegfried Schmid studied at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Munich with Ludwig Porth. From his graduation from the conservatory in 1962 until 1997, Schmid was solo timpanist and percussionist with the Basel Symphony Orchestra. In 1967 he founded the Basel Percussion Ensemble which maintained a very active performance schedule. He was also a member of the European Ensemble, founded by Bruno Maderna. In addition to his traditional percussion performance he is regularly engages as a performer of the Hungarian Cimbalom. He has played internationally with many orchestras including the BBC in London, the National Orchestra of France, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, as well as with numerous chamber music ensembles. In 1998, he received an invitation to form part of the World Orchestra for Peace. Prof. Schmid has performed under the batons of such notable conductors as Pierre Boulez, Charles Dutoit, Heinz Holliger, Lorin Maazel, Paul Sacher, Antal Dorati, Walter Weller, Armin Jordan, etc. Since 1971, Siegfried Schmid has taught percussion at the Musikhochschule of the Basel Music Academy.