Norman Peck graduated from California State University, Hayward (now CSU East Bay) in 1976 with his B. A. in music and continued his studies finishing his M. A. in 1980. During this period he was already working in the bay area as the percussionist with the Lamplighters Orchestra performing light opera and operettas. A position he still holds and enjoys. Norman was also the drummer with the Oakland Symphony Friday night Pops. For the Pops, Norman would play in the percussion section during the classical part of the performance and then sit at the drums for the arrangements featuring the guest artist. In this way he worked with José Feliciano, Benny Goodman, Della Reese and others. Norman was also invited to join The Arch Ensemble for Experimental Music with whom he made three recordings and two European tours.
In between rehearsals, performances and tours, Norman opened two teaching studios and was invited to join the Board of Directors of the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra of Berkeley. During his term, he participated in the conductor search that culminated with the appointment of David Ramadanoff to the podium. Norman continues to instruct, coach and mentor drummers and percussionists of all ages in the East Bay.
His musical career in performance and education gained an additional aspect when Norman began working as the Orchestra Contractor for the Symphony of the Mountain in Contra Costa County in 1984. This community orchestra was dissolved in 1986 but had recently featured Barry Jekowsky as a guest conductor and when Mr. Jekowsky later formed the New Contra Costa Symphony, he asked Norman to be his Personnel Manager for the orchestra which later became the California Symphony.
Norman met John Larry Granger in 1990 at the Principal Percussion audition for the Santa Cruz County Symphony and after winning the chair, Mr. Granger and Executive Director David Folsom-Jones asked him to become the Personnel Manager for the orchestra. He has held the title for 20 seasons.
Norman currently retains his Principal Percussion Chair with the Santa Cruz County Symphony, the Lamplighters and West Bay Opera. He plays jazz with a big band every Tuesday night when he isn’t working, teaches a large class of private students, and provides instrumental contracting services to a variety of clients. When he’s not working, Norman is passionately fond of science fiction, cooking and his cats Hector and Alex. In January 2010, he and his wife Lynda will celebrate their 28th Anniversary.