Biography:Bob McQuillen
Bob McQuillen
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|---|---|
| Given name: | Robert |
| Middle name: | C. |
| Family name: | McQuillen |
| Place of birth: | near Boston, Massachusetts |
| Place of death: | |
| Year of birth: | 1924 |
| Year of death: | |
| Profile: | Composer, Musician |
| Source of information: | NEA Heritage Fellowship 2002 web page |
Biographical notes
Bob McQuillen, pianist and accordion player, has held a central position in the contra dance scene for more than 50 years. He was born near Boston, but his family moved to southwestern New Hampshire when he was a child. Although his grandfather played accordion and his father played the piano, McQuillen did not turn seriously to music until he returned from service as a Marine during World War II. Some friends took him to a local dance, and he became interested in playing the accordion. He continued his day job teaching industrial arts at the local high school in Peterborough, New Hampshire, but also began playing accordion and piano for dances throughout the region, working with the legendary contra dance caller and historian, Ralph Page. He has written more than 1,300 dance tunes.