I have been falling in love with timpani lately

[blade123]

I am staying in at lunch in the band room to work on playing them, but all the music we have in band is too easy.
What are some exercises or things I should work on? Others practice in band practice at lunch, so ear training is a no-no, but pedaling technique, moving around, sticking exercising, technique, etc. are all good.

[Big King]

I forget the composer... perhaps "Bizet"... but a movement from the "Sampson Et Deliah" symphony has a huge rolling military style tympani solo. I played it in Symphony before. It's awesome.

[Big King]

also Dvorak's "New World Symphony" has some of my all-time favorite tympani parts. The 4th movement is epic. Also one of my all time favorite classical pieces.

[blade123]

Thanks. Is that they way everyone learns, just be learning solos and songs? Or do they work on specific technique things like on set (four way independence, moving around, etc.) along with songs/solos?

[DrumYoda]

There are several good Timpani method books available ( John Beck, Raynor Carroll, Fred Hinger, Saul Goodman, Friese & LePak, etc.) as well as books of excerpts from orchestral literature. You might well consult Steve Weiss Music http://www.steveweissmusic.com/ as they are one of the better sources for things of that sort.