Alan Abel was inducted Into the PAS Hall of Fame in 1998. His early teachers included Haskcll Harr and William Street. After graduating from the Eastman School of Music. Abel had a brief stint with the U. S. Air Force Band in New York before joining the Oklahoma City Symphony. After Leopold Stokowski complimented Abel’s masterful playing in an Oklahoma newspaper interview, doors opened in Philadelphia and Abel was invited to audition at the next opening.



Alan Abel joined the legendary percussion Section of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1959 and worked with such renowned players as Fred Hinger. Charlie Owen, Michael Bookspan. Gerald Carlyss, Tony Orlando and Don Liuzzi until his retirement in 1997. His performances and recordings were under the direction of some of the world’s greatest conductors, including Eugene Ormandy, Riccordo Muti and Wolfgang Sawallisch.



To his students, Alan Abel is best known as master teacher, mentor and friend. He continues to teach at Temple University, where the professional accomplishments of his students are known worldwide.



Alan Abel is also well known for his two books of orchestral studies for timpani and percussion published by G. Schirmer, and is planning several additional books, CDs and instructional videos.



Alan Abel's instrument designs and manufacturing have achieved world status as well. In addition to his now famous “free-floating” suspended bass drum stand, he is also known to make his celebrated symphonic triangles, including a 4-inch, 6-inch and his newly developed 'Wagner/Mahler' triangle. He describes his newest creation as "an instrument that cuts through with a big ringing tone when the orchestra is playing fortississimo. (i.e. Mahler or Wagner). The size is not all that different from the 6-inch model, but uses heavier material."



Alan Abel continues to be a highly acclaimed and sought after clinician on the international level.