The ensemble performs
a variety of music from traditional soca/calypsos, to classical, to rock and
roll, and even performs traditional Appalachian Mountain music. One of the goals
is to demonstrate to audiences the variety of music that can be performed on
the pans. Not just "Yellow Bird", and other Caribbean tunes. If schools are
interested, music is sent in advance, so music teachers or choral directors
can prepare their students to perform with the steel band. The steel band performs
a wonderful four part Caribbean round that has been used with entire schools,
as well as "Jamaican Farewell" and an African song call "Siyhamba", that has
worked well with middle-school choruses. If a specific song is requested we're
more than happy to work with schools to put together a performance with the
students.
During their concerts they like to break away from the steel drums and perform
at least one selection with African or Middle Eastern hand instruments
(video). Dr.
Meister talks about the instruments and their origins, and members of the ensemble
demonstrate the individual sounds of the instruments. During each concert the
band demonstrates an oral history of the steel band by performing on tamboo
bamboos and early steell istruments. As a builder/tuner of steel drums, Dr.
Meister, talks about the origin of steel drums and how they are made and tuned.
THE STEELY PAN STEEL BAND FALL CONCERT
September 26, 2008, 8PM, Farthing Auditorium
