Tom Akins was principal timpanist of The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1965 to 1991. He wrote a history of the ISO called "Crecsendo" (1930-2005) and "Behind The Copper Fence" about the dynamics of an orchestra, playing his instrument, working with other musicians, tuning, and even the ISO softball team.

He told us how a person with only two arms and two legs manages four drums in a concert, especially in a concerto for timpani.