Sami Butler

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Sami Butler joined the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 2022 as Associate Principal Percussion/Timpani, having previously worked with them as a guest musician since 2015. Prior to his appointment at the ASO, he was the Percussion Fellow twice in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2017 and 2018, and completed his Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in 2015 at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Amanda Grigg. Sami has also worked with the Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, and has performed around the world including at the Sydney Opera House, het Concertgebouw and Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Sami Butler'S SETUP:

1.14" HiHats - K Constantinople (top), K Custom Session (bottom) *
2.Stack - 9" FX Oriental Trash Splash (bottom), 6" Splash (top) *
3.19" K Dark Thin Crashes
4.22" K Custom High Definition Ride
5.10" FX China Trash
6.15" FX Azuka Latin Multi-Crash *
7.16" K Dark Thin Crashes

* May be prototype

Sami
Butler's
IN 3

Sami Butler's
IN 3

  • WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

    Lots of people including my colleagues in the orchestra, my parents who were both professional musicians and my students with their incredible work ethic. It also helps when you absolutely love the music you play.

  • WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

    A big part of your career, especially as a freelancer, relies on people enjoying your company as well as working with you. If you sound great and are an 11/10 person, who wouldn't want to hire you?!

  • FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

    For your typical Romantic symphony, I start with 18s and 20s and adjust the choices as I go. It's always safe starting with the 18" Special Ks as a workhorse pair, and the 20" Classic Orchestrals for those big, triumphant crashes!

Sami Butler’S GO-TO’S

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BEHIND THE KIT

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