A resurgence in steel pan players was on full display last weekend, when the Barbados Community College (BCC) Steel Pan Ensemble wowed the audience at the Springer Memorial School.

The largest group of steel pan musicians the college has seen in years delivered a stunning performance at the When the Stars Align concert, demonstrating a national return to the Caribbean-born instrument.

BCC Music Tutor Adrian Forde congratulated his students, describing their commitment to the instrument and craft as impressive and important.

“We still have a long way to go as a nation and a region to having the steel pan being impactful around the world but we’re getting there because almost every country knows of the steel pan now and they’re taking on the culture.”

Mr. Forde added that while he scheduled in-class rehearsals the band spent many hours of their personal time practicing their performance and applauded their initiative and dedication.

BCC music student and one of the ensemble’s leaders Tehillah Durrant was proud of his colleagues, thanking them for matching his enthusiasm and commitment, highlighting Mariano Cheeseman and co-leader Jaliyah Green as especially instrumental to their success.

“I like the energy of my band mates. That’s something that I really enjoy about performing with this specific set of people. I can always rely on them to bring energy and good vibes.

A product of the Foundation Steel Orchestra, Mr. Durant stressed his excitement for this year’s Pan Pon De Hill, an annual steel pan concert organised by the Christ Church Foundation School.

“I plan to bring a lot of new songs and new repertoire to Pan Pon De Hill. You want to make it exciting, you want to make it fun, and you want to capitalize on the space and the stage that we have at Pan Pon De Hill.”

The event is scheduled for the 25th of April at 2:00 PM and while the BCC Steel Pan Ensemble has little to prove after last week’s performance, interested persons can be certain to expect another display of young maestros in the making.