Nikolaus was born in Graz (Austria). He took his first drum lessons at the age of six (Peter Wirth, Gratkorn) and he started to learn playing mallets at eight. At present, Nikolaus studies at the Studio Percussion School Graz in the class of Bernhard Richter.

Together with percussion ensembles 'Tristix' and 'Stick Attack' Nikolaus has performed in various concerts and music contests since 2005. From 2005 to 2010 he was a member of the Gratkorn Wind Orchestra and in 2007 he participated in a Styrian-Lithuanian symphony orchestra project. More recently in 2011 he started a successful duet with his sister Marita Gehrer as 'projekt:manie'.

In the Austrian Music Competition 'Prima la Musica' Nikolaus won first prize in Styria 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011, and first prize on the national level in 2005, 2006 and 2011. He also won a first prize in the Austrian Ensemble Competition 'Spiel in kleinen Gruppen' in 2008.

Repertoire

Solo

K. Abe, Frogs
J.S. Bach, Suite No 3 in C Major, Prelude - transcription for Marimba: Peter Sadlo
J. S. Bach, Fugue in A (for mallet trio) - arrangement: Murray Houllif
A. Beall, Pat Metheny Suite
G. Chester, The New Breed
W. Craft, French Suite (III Saraband, IV Gigue)
J. Delecluse, Solos from ‘Methode de Caisse – Claire’
R. Edwards, Marimba Dances I
M. Elster, Allegro Risoluto
K. Engel, Look out little Ruth - arrangement: Peter Sadlo
D. Garibaldi, The Code of Funk
A. Gomez / Marilyn Rife, Rain Dance
L. Kaiser, Bayon Pearnik
E. Kopetzki, Caramba! – 9 Solos for Set - up
E. Kopetzki, Canned Heat
A. Koppel, Toccata
O. Madas, Multitasking
M. Marcovich, Teamwork, The Winner, Tornado
H. Mennens, Snaredrum 1 + 2
A. Payson, The Twittering Machine
M. Peters, Rondo
A. F. Riedhammer, The Challenge I
N. Rohwer, Zentriol, Drums unlimited, Groovin’ up, Double – b, Sonnentanz
N. Rosauro, Preludio No 1 in E minor, Preludio No 2 in A Major
E. Sammul, Libertango (Variations on Marimba)
E. Sejou, Katmiya
J. Whitlock, Shala
C. Wilcoxon, Solos from 'The All – American Drummer'
I. Xenakis, Rebonds b
N. J. Zivkovic, Macedonia, Les Viotons Morts, Der Wanderer, Il Sognio Di Paciocchino, Ballade für Petra, Tropical Feel, Bayrischer Ländler, Trio per Uno I + III

With orchestra

N. Rosauro, Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra

If you are interested in working with Nikolaus, please get in touch with the EMCY Office.