Cangelosi Joins James Madison Faculty

Neil W. Grover is widely recognized as one of the most influential percussionists of our time. As a musician, educator, designer, and entrepreneur, he has contributed immensely to the percussive arts and left an indelible mark on the global percussion community.

Having performed for over 40 years with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops, he holds the distinction of having performed on the soundtrack for one of the most successful blockbuster movies of all time (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) and with the iconic rock band, Aerosmith.

Not only is Grover an accomplished performer, author, and music educator, but he has also been instrumental in developing and designing world-class percussion instruments. He founded Grover Pro Percussion, a company that has been at the forefront of percussion instrument design and manufacture since 1979. The company has consistently produced high-quality instruments that are used by top professionals and students worldwide.

As an educator, Grover has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools, including the Boston Conservatory of Music. He has been an invited lecturer on percussion at over 100 schools around the globe. His students have gone on to become some of the most successful percussionists in the world.

Grover's contributions to percussion music extend beyond his work as a performer, designer, and educator. He has also been instrumental in developing new percussion techniques that have today become standard in contemporary percussion music.

One of Grover's most significant contributions to percussion music is his work on the concept of “quantum-sonics” He has developed a method of playing that emphasizes the importance of breaking down sound production into cells that when understood and utilized improve the sound of any percussion instrument. This method has been adopted by many percussionists who perform at the highest levels of the art.