Dr. Joe Galvin has taken a varied path to becoming a steelpan performer and Afro-Cuban percussionist. He studied piano and violin at a young age, and by high school he was drawn to the drum set. While in school, he sought out and participated in as many music groups as he could, accompanying ensembles on piano and drums, singing in choirs, and playing various strings in everything from orchestras to garage rock bands. This musical eclecticism led Galvin to begin college studying piano, but he quickly shifted his attention to percussion, where he fell in love with the steelpan.
Galvin has performed extensively over the years, the following are just a few performances of note: He performed as a featured soloist and ensemble member with the Aguavá New Music Group in 2005 at the Library of Congress, Washington D.C. He has been fortunate to share the stage with leaders in their fields such as steelpan virtuoso Liam Teague and marimbist Kevin Bobo. He has also performed several times at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Galvin had the fortunate opportunity to perform with the BP Renegades in Trinidad's Panorama competition in 2013 and again with the PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars, directed by Liam Teague, in 2016.
Dr. Galvin received his music degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, culminating in a doctorate of percussion performance with a focus of steelpan and Afro-Cuban percussion traditions. Upon Michael Spiro’s retirement from IU in January 2019, Galvin became Spiro’s interim replacement through the Jacobs School of Music percussion department, teaching lessons, directing the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble, steelpan ensemble, and coaching the Latin Jazz Ensemble big band. This eventually led to the creation of new lecturer position at IU shared between the percussion department, jazz department, and Latin American Music Center where Galvin currently works, continuing Spiro’s educational legacy.
Aside from the various offerings through Ritmos Unidos Productions, you can also hear Galvin’s playing on two Grammy nominated albums: The Wayne Wallace Quintet’s Intercambio and Michael Spiro and Wayne Wallace’s Canto America with La Orquesta Sinfonietta. For more information and a current list of products please visit: www.ritmosunidosproductions.com
The College of Arts