With nearly two decades of spellbinding performances to its name, Chicago-based quartet Third Coast Percussion (Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin, and David Skidmore) is the first percussion ensemble to win a Grammy Award in the classical genre. Also nominated for a Grammy as a composer collective, TCP recasts the classical musical experience with a brilliantly varied sonic palette, crafting music to “push percussion in new directions, blurring musical boundaries and beguiling new listeners” (NPR). The ensemble celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, having blossomed from percussion students who met in 2005 at Northwestern University into an internationally-renowned performing arts organization. TCP’s 2023 album Between Breaths was nominated for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance in the 2024 Grammy Awards. 

 During its 20th anniversary season in 2024–25, the ensemble embarks on ambitious collaborative projects including national tours with tabla player Zakir Hussain, composer/violinist Jessie Montgomery, and Twyla Tharp Dance. Other highlights include performances of TCP’s acclaimed Metamorphosis program. TCP has also commissioned new works from composers Tigran Hamasyan and Jlin. 

 TCP has toured widely across the U.S. and four continents, exuding “rare power” (The Washington Post) and “an inspirational sense of fun and curiosity” (Minnesota Star-Tribune). The ensemble’s recordings include 19 feature albums and appearances on 14 additional releases, including its GRAMMY®-winning recording of Steve Reich’s works for percussion. It has commissioned and premiered new works from such artists as Augusta Read Thomas, Philip Glass, Missy Mazzoli, Clarice Assad, Danny Elfman, and Jlin, whose TCP commission Perspective was a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist.  

 TCP has also produced collaborative art alongside engineers, architects, and musicians of all genres, and connected with audiences through talks, play-alongs, educational programs, and mobile apps. They collaborate with numerous Chicago-based civic and cultural institutions, teach thousands of students through educational partnerships, and maintain multi-year collaborations with Chicago-based composers. The quartet also serves as ensemble-in-residence at Denison University. 

Follow Third Coast on Instagram (@ThirdCoastPercussion), YouTube (@thirdcoastpercussion), TikTok (@thirdcoastpercussion), X (@ThirdCoastPerc), Facebook (@Third Coast Percussion), and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/third-coast-percussion).