About UASteel
The University of Arizona Steel Band program is comprised of two steel bands, UASteel and Blue Steel. The steel band program was founded in 1987 by Professor Gary Cook and then doctoral student, Jeannine Remy. Born from a small group of personal steel drums, the band now has over 50 instruments and involves students from across the campus. Eric Hines is the current Director of the UA Steel Band program.
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UA Steel is dedicated to the preservation and expansion of the steel pan art form. The band plays many styles of music, several with Caribbean roots of soca, calypso, and reggae as well as classical, contemporary jazz, pop, or whatever music the members think should be given a chance to earn the privilege of being interpreted by the steel pan.
The UA Steel Band program is entirely self-supported through public and private performances and CD sales. CDs are only $10! All proceeds earned go directly toward instrument purchase, maintenance, and tuning; music for the library; support for recording projects and travel; and sponsoring guest artists.
Fall Concert!
Don't miss the UA Steel Bands Fall Concert at the UA School of Music at 7:30pm on Sunday, November 27 in Crowder Hall! For more information on the concert including tickets, please visit the online Event Calendar or call the Fine Arts Box Office at 520.621.1162.
This semester's concert will feature guest artist Ricardo Flores! Ricardo is Associate Professor of Percussion at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where he directs the U of I Steel Band program. Flores will be in residence November 25-28th to present several clinics and masterclasses for the UA Percussion Studio as well as perform with both of the UA Steel Bands on our fall concert.
Join UASteel!
If you are interested in joining the UASteel program, come to the orientation meeting on Friday, August 26, 2011, at 6:00pm (Music Bldg, Room 106). UASteel will play, and there will be a brief introduction to the instruments and the program.
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Some basic music knowledge and reading skill is needed, but don't worry if you've never played pan before. There's room for everyone with groove and a passion for fun and a great musical challenge.
All UASteel players must register for MUS 201, 401, or 501 (Section 034) for 1 unit credit. There are two groups, the veteran group ("UASteel") and the training group ("Blue Band"). Both meet on Mondays and Wednesdays - Blue Steel from 5:00 - 6:30 and UASteel from 6:45 to 8:15. The times are subject to change, based on the makeup of each group (don't let your participation in Marching Band keep you from joining the UASteel program, for instance!).
If we have really high turnout, there may be a more selective audition process for the top group: you'd be asked to play a little of your instrument of choice and sight read a few bars. Nothing too stressful!
Drumset and auxiliary percussion players are welcome, too, especially if you have played with a steel band before.
If you have any questions, contact Eric Hines, uasteel@cfa.arizona.edu.
CDs
This semester, the UA Steel Bands will begin work on a new CD recording project! Recording sessions will begin in December 2011 and the new album is scheduled to be released at our spring concert on April 22nd 2012.
Our previous CDs include Panstraction!, Live From Crowder Hall, and Quite Frankly.
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Panstraction was recorded May 7-9, 2005. The album was a culmination of an inspirational trip in February, 2005 to Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, birthplace of pan, for Panorama and Carnival festivities and an emersion into the authentic culture and environment of pan. This recording presents various styles of music including soca, calypso, jazz, and classical, showcasing the musical diversity of pan. The album also features several guest artists including Chris Wabich on pan, Dr. Kelland Thomas on saxophone, and Robin Horn on drumset.
Live From Crowder Hall was recorded in the Spring of 2002, following our first trip to Trinidad and Tobago for Panorama 2001 and features "Stranger," the Panorama arrangement performed by BWIA Invaders in 2001, arranged by Ken "Professor" Philmore and transcribed by Dr. Jeannine Remy.
The first CD from the steel band program, Quite Frankly, was recorded in 1995 and features original tunes and arrangements by band members David Walton and Khris Dodge as well as band favorites by Cliff Alexis, our builder and tuner, and "Fire Down Below," from Len "Boogsie" Sharpe.
Copies of Panstraction and Live From Crowder Hall can be purchased at all UA Steel events or by contacting Eric Hines, uasteel@cfa.arizona.edu, or Norm Weinberg, nweinber@email.arizona.edu.
