Editor’s note: The original August 2023 version of this article was lost. The Lee Daily Register rebuilt it in October 2026 from the obituary published on the Toronto Musicians’ Association website and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada tribute cited below. We have not independently confirmed details beyond what those two documents say.
Michael Reid Perry, a Toronto percussionist who spent four decades as principal timpanist of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, at his home. He was 66.
His obituary, published on the website of the Toronto Musicians’ Association, said he died at home after a prolonged cancer journey, with the assistance of MAID (medical assistance in dying), holding his beloved Gloria. It gives his dates as March 18, 1957, to Aug. 8, 2023.
Pots, pans and a first band
According to the obituary, his musical career began when, as a toddler, he ceaselessly banged on pots and pans. Piano and music theory lessons grew into a passion for drums, and he acquired his first drum set while still in public school. His first band, Us Three, was formed in grade six and was allowed to play at school assemblies.
At Northmount Junior High School he learned the cello while continuing on drums, timpani and percussion in the school bands and orchestra. Performing with the Newtonbrook High School bands and orchestra led naturally into music as a profession, the obituary says. In Grade 13 he was asked to audition for the University of Toronto Jazz Ensemble, won the position and played drums with it for five years under Phil Nimmons.
The obituary says he also won a place with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1976 and 1977, with orchestral training from Alexander Lepak. He entered the University of Toronto Faculty of Music and earned an honours bachelor’s degree in performance. In 1979 he attended the Banff Centre jazz program, and he won first place at the Canadian Stage Band Festival with the U of T Jazz Ensemble.
A career in Toronto’s orchestra pits
The obituary says his career spanned 40 years as principal timpanist of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, 25 years as principal timpanist of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra and 25 years as principal percussionist with the Hannaford Street Silver Band. It also lists numerous CBC radio broadcasts and CD recordings with the brass band and the opera company, and a variety of gigs with rock and roll, jazz and other ensembles.
Beyond the music
The obituary describes him as an independent thinker who marched to his own beat while being loving, kind and gentle. It mentions his love of horror movies and chocolate, particularly world-class ice cream, and his much-loved cottage, called Harmony. It also says he traveled, most memorably in the Caribbean, and that his storytelling, quirky sense of humor and big laugh will be sorely missed.
The obituary expresses gratitude for the care he received from staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, including its palliative care team, and from home and community care staff. It says a private gathering is planned and that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maidhouse.
What happened next
On Aug. 16, 2023, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada published a tribute in its “NYO Canada Remembers” series. It said he was a member of the orchestra in 1976 and 1977, offered condolences to his family and loved ones, and pointed readers to his obituary.
