NICK WHITE - PERCUSSIONIST/HISTORIAN, EARLY 20th CENTURY MUSIC & FILM.
Nick White is a world-renowned percussionist who specialized in the history of his instrument. He has appeared in stage, film, television, radio and podcast productions featuring his performing, his collection, and his lecturing on both music and film history.
He has amassed one of the most extensive collections of historical percussion instruments in the world. Of special note is his collection of sound effect instruments that were used to add realism to the screen during the silent film era. It’s a collection he actively performs with—having performed at the Music Box Theatre, Chicago Film Society, and The San Francisco Silent Film Festival—the second largest film festival of its kind the world.
In 2022, White made his on-screen debut as a sound effects performer in the penultimate scene of "Killers of The Flower Moon," having been personally approved by the director, Martin Scorsese. There he acted as both consultant and actor—providing his knowledge and research to a scene that required detailed recreation of 1930’s radio drama.
His film experience and sound effect performing was also the subject of a 2024 episode of “Backstory” by Larry Potash by WGN studios in Chicago.
Having trained for eight years at Boston University and The Boston Conservatory for classical music performance, he was at one point the semi-finalist for the Milwaukee Symphony’s 2016 percussion audition. He still regular freelances in the classical world, and has held a position with the Evanston Symphony for eight years.
White is also an accomplished xylophone player, and is an authority on the history of that instrument. He is currently preparing his debut album. He's lectured on the history of the instrument and performed throughout the country.
Feel free to contact Nick at [email protected] for booking, questions, restoration advice, or if you just want to share your passion for percussion instruments. He'd love to hear from you.
Nick White is a world-renowned percussionist who specialized in the history of his instrument. He has appeared in stage, film, television, radio and podcast productions featuring his performing, his collection, and his lecturing on both music and film history.
He has amassed one of the most extensive collections of historical percussion instruments in the world. Of special note is his collection of sound effect instruments that were used to add realism to the screen during the silent film era. It’s a collection he actively performs with—having performed at the Music Box Theatre, Chicago Film Society, and The San Francisco Silent Film Festival—the second largest film festival of its kind the world.
In 2022, White made his on-screen debut as a sound effects performer in the penultimate scene of "Killers of The Flower Moon," having been personally approved by the director, Martin Scorsese. There he acted as both consultant and actor—providing his knowledge and research to a scene that required detailed recreation of 1930’s radio drama.
His film experience and sound effect performing was also the subject of a 2024 episode of “Backstory” by Larry Potash by WGN studios in Chicago.
Having trained for eight years at Boston University and The Boston Conservatory for classical music performance, he was at one point the semi-finalist for the Milwaukee Symphony’s 2016 percussion audition. He still regular freelances in the classical world, and has held a position with the Evanston Symphony for eight years.
White is also an accomplished xylophone player, and is an authority on the history of that instrument. He is currently preparing his debut album. He's lectured on the history of the instrument and performed throughout the country.
Feel free to contact Nick at [email protected] for booking, questions, restoration advice, or if you just want to share your passion for percussion instruments. He'd love to hear from you.