45-year-old Josh Quillen, a 1998 Dover grad, won the award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance as part of the group ‘So Percussion’ for their album “Rectangles and Circumstance” with five-time Grammy winning singer-composer Caroline Shaw.
“I’m just really grateful the Grammy’s sort of saw the work that we did as something worthy.”
Quillen lives in Yardley, Pennsylvania, 70 miles from New York City, and So Percussion is the ensemble in residence at Princeton University.
He is grateful for the music and arts education he received in the Dover school system, singling out longtime band director Steve Stroup and Joan Wenzel.
“It goes without saying that I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t have that kind, generous teaching.”
Quillen encourages others to follow their dreams in music and arts.
“You don’t get a Grammy for doing things that other people think you should do. Just keep working on the things that you believe in and that you’re really passionate about. ”
Quillen still influences the Dover High School music scene. He arranged some of the steel drum band’s more popular songs, including “Amazing Grace” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
The steel drum band performs on Sunday, February 16th, at its annual Pantasia concert at Dover High School.
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