The musician from Reutlingen took his first percussion lessons at only 12 years of age and was then accepted as a preparatory student at the Music Academy in Trossingen. As a multiple prize winner at the "Jugend musiziert" competition, Stefan Gagelmann was able to acquire valuable experience as a member of the Federal Youth Orchestra and in various chamber music ensembles. From 1982 he continued his studies with Hermann Gschwendtner. At the age of 19, Stefan Gagelmann was engaged as principal timpanist with the Munich Philharmonic. He has played under such renowned conductors as James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel and Günter Wand. In 1998 and 1999 he took part in the orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival. Besides his activities in the orchestra, Stefan Gagelmann takes a keen interest in percussion chamber music.
