Nov. 12, 2021
By Sarah Rose Sammarone
Staff Writer
Joe Shinnick, a 2015 LHS graduate, was awarded first prize for his clarinet performance in the 2021 Americas Music Competition.
Since the competition was virtual, Shinnick submitted a video from his senior recital in the spring at Montclair State University where he played the first movement of Leonard Bernstein’s “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano.”
“It was definitely nerve wracking waiting for the results. I just kept refreshing my emails,” Shinnick said. “Then, I got an email saying I was in the top three, so at that point it was out of my hands.”
Shinnick got the news of his win on Sept. 10. “I feel different now that I know I’ve won. I like knowing that my hard work paid off because I didn’t know any of the judges,” Shinnick said.
He said his music career would not have been possible without the help of his high school music director, Mr. Dellosa, who was referred to as “Coach” by his students. Dellosa retired in 2020.
“I was in the eighth grade band, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I wasn’t sure if I should even continue in the band, but Coach [said], ‘You think anyone knows what they’re doing? Give me a year.’ So I agreed, and the rest is history,” Shinnick said.
He said current high school music director Mr. Chwalyk also supported him on his journey to become a musician.
Chwalyk taught Shinnick in the middle school band from sixth to eighth grade. When Shinnick came to LHS, Shinnick found a familiar face in Chwalyk, who had by then taken on the role of assistant band director at the high school.
Chwalyk said he remembers Shinnick as very studious when it came to learning music. He said Shinnick was one of those students who did not shy away from experimenting with new music.
Class of 2015 graduate Frankie Perez is one of Shinnick’s closest friends and has known him since childhood when they were both in the Boy Scouts.
“My first impression of Joe was [that he was] quiet, and I’m the complete opposite, so opposites attract. Joe is a little more reserved, but Joe is so interesting in that way. You can have a conversation with him and he can keep the conversation going, but he would bring a whole other [dimension to] it,” Perez said. “Joe is an absolute pleasure to be around. He is just so smart, very funny and quick-witted.”
Perez said Shinnick’s friends always find him practicing his music. “Joe is a committed musician and is dedicated to trying his best to have the best results possible,” Perez said.
In high school, Perez and Shinnick were in the same friend group. Then, they were roommates when they were students at Montclair State University.
“It was the best time ever getting to spend time with your best friends,” Perez said. “Sometimes you realize those friends who are going to be in your wedding or to just be with you forever, and Joe is one of those friends.”
“I feel different now that I know I’ve won. I like knowing that my hard work paid off because I didn’t know any of the judges.”
Perez described Shinnick as full-hearted.
“He cares about every single waking moment he puts into his craft and everything that he puts into his friendships. He’s a phenomenal person,” Perez said.
He said Shinnick is one of the most talented people he knows.
“Joe, if you’re reading this… I am proud of you every step of this journey that you take. Especially winning this award, and especially finding a job in your field that you can say that you’re good at,” Perez said. “You get to say that you can change aspiring musicians’ lives.”
Shinnick now works at the Paterson Music Project, which offers public and private music lessons to children. He works there full-time as a coordinator, and he gives saxophone lessons even though clarinet is his main instrument.
Addressing Shinnick, Perez said, “I can’t wait to see how far you go and how many lives you affect because of the way you care so much about your students.”
