The University of Arizona

UASteel Members

History

The history of UASteel

This history is a work in progress. If you notice any errors or know of any events that should be included, please contact Cy (ccb@u.arizona.edu).

Spring 2010

Director: Stephen Tipping
Assistant Director: Eric Hines

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Chris Hanning, drumset and Kelland Thomas, saxophone.

Fall 2009

Director: Stephen Tipping
Assistant Director: Eric Hines

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, November 29, 2009, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Moisés Paiewonsky.

Spring 2009

Director: Josh Armstrong

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.

Fall 2008

Director: Josh Armstrong

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, November 30, 2008, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.

Significant events:
This concert featured the world premiere of Robert McClure's "Danza Para El Sol".

Spring 2008

Director: Josh Armstrong

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, April 20, 2008, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Chris Wabich.

Significant events:
Guest Artist Chris Wabich joins UASteel and Blue Steel on pan and drumset.

Fall 2007

Director: Josh Armstrong

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, November 25, 2007, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Falcon Steel, Tina Walton, Director.

Significant events:
The fall concert includes a guest performance from Falcon Steel from Catalina Foothills High School.

Spring 2007

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, April 22, 2007, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Jeannine Remy.

Significant events:
The UA Steel Band Program celebrates its 20th year.

Fall 2006

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, November 26, 2006, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: UA World Music Gang.

Significant events:
CD Release Concert! Panstraction is now available and selling like hotcakes.

UASteel traveled to Austin, TX, to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in a joint session with the University of Texas at Austin Steel Pan Ensemble. Presenting a program of new music for steel band, the band is joined by Chris Wabich and Ray Holman for a highly successful performance.

The UA Steel Band Program begins its 20th year with this concert.

Spring 2006

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel, Red Steel

Concert: Sunday, April 23, 2006, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Ray Holman.

Fall 2005

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Steel

Concert: Sunday, November 27, 2005, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Chris Wabich.

Spring 2005

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band

Concert: Sunday, April 24, 2005, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.

Significant events:
Eighteen students, along with Professor Gary Cook and TA Mike Sammons, traveled to Trinidad for Panorama. One particular highlight: UASteel alum Holly Schurr played tenor pan with Phase II Pan Groove for their unprecedented 20-point victory. It was her fourth year playing in the Panorama competition.

Topping off a great year, UASteel headed to the recording studio at the end of the semester to begin work on Panstraction, the third CD from the steel band program.

Fall 2004

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band

Concert: Sunday, November 28, 2004, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.

Significant events:
In the Fall of 2004, the program began a year of aggressive fund-raising to take another trip to Trinidad for Carnival and Panorama 2005. Plans also began for the recording of our third CD.

Spring 2004

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band

Concert: Sunday, April 25, 2004, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Liam Teague.

Significant events:
UASteel director Mike Sammons organizes a Tucson "mass steel band" concert, boasting over fifty local college, high school, and elementary school pan players.

Fall 2003

Director: Mike Sammons

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band

Concert: Sunday, November 30, 2003, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.

Spring 2003

Director: Dan Smithiger

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
UASteel director Dan Smithiger organizes the third "AZ PAS" "mass steel band" concert, kicking off the Arizona Percussive Arts Society Festival in Tucson, AZ.

The Steel Band concert this semester begins a new tradition of including a performance by the new African Music Ensemble, introducing steel band fans to the newest percussion group at the university.

Fall 2002

Director: Dan Smithiger

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, December 1, 2002, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.

Spring 2002

Director: Dan Smithiger

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, April 21, 2002, at 3:00 pm. Fine Arts Courtyard.

Significant events:
UASteel records the program's second CD, "Live From Crowder Hall". UASteel also performed another "first": "Freedom" by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, arranged for Phase II Pan Groove for Panorama 2001 and transcribed for UASteel by Don Cox, Thom Martin, and Cynthia Barlow.

UASteel director Dan Smithiger organizes the second Arizona "mass steel band" concert in Phoenix, AZ, also as part of "AZ PAS", the Arizona Percussive Arts Society Festival.

Fall 2001

Director: Dan Smithiger

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 25, 2001, at 12:00 am.

Spring 2001

Director: Dan Smithiger

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, April 1, 2001, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
Over 20 members of the steel band program visit Port Of Spain, Trinidad, for Carnival and Panorama. The Blue Band becomes the first non-Panorama band to perform Ken "Professor" Philmore's arrangement of "Stranger" - arranged for Invaders Steel Orchestra for Panorama 2001 and transcribed by Jeannine Remy.

Fall 2000

Director: Dan Smithiger

Bands: UASteel, Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 26, 2000, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
The program grows in popularity, and a third band is created to accommodate the new generations of pan players. UASteel replaces the Blue Band as the veteran group, and Blue Band is now an intermediate group. Red Band remains the beginning band. Dan Smithiger runs all three groups.

The steel band program spends the year aggressively raising funds to take over 20 members to Trinidad for Carnival and Panorama 2001.

Spring 2000

Director: Ross McGinnis
Assistant Director: John Best

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, April 9, 2000, at 7:30 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Jeannine Remy.

Significant events:
UASteel director Ross McGinnis organizes a "Mass Steel Band", comprised of several school, church, and community steel bands from around the state. The 100+ member steel band performs as the opening concert for "AZ PAS", the Arizona Percussive Arts Festival in Flagstaff, AZ. Guest artist for the concert: Andy Narell.

Fall 1999

Director: Ross McGinnis
Assistant Director: John Best

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Monday, November 1, 1999, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
The Blue Band becomes the first non-Panorama band to perform "Carnival Is We", arranged by Ken "Professor" Philmore for Fontclaire for Panorama 1999 and transcribed by Ross McGinnis, Thom Martin, and Cynthia Barlow.

Spring 1999

Director: Ross McGinnis
Assistant Director: Cynthia Barlow

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, May 2, 1999, at 7:30 pm. Fine Arts Courtyard.
Special Guest: Ken "Professor" Philmore.

Fall 1998

Director: Ross McGinnis
Assistant Director: Cynthia Barlow

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 22, 1998, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.

Spring 1998

Director: Robert Brudvig
Assistant Director: David Meyers

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, April 5, 1998, at 12:00 am. Fine Arts Courtyard.
Special Guest: Liam Teague.

Fall 1997

Director: Robert Brudvig
Assistant Director: David Meyers

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 23, 1997, at 12:00 am. UA Mall.

Spring 1997

Director: Darin Wadle
Assistant Director: David Meyers

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, April 20, 1997, at 8:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Jeff Narell.

Fall 1996

Director: Darin Wadle
Assistant Director: Wes Hawkins

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 24, 1996, at 3:00 pm. Crowder Hall.

Spring 1996

Director: Dave Walton
Assistant Director: Darin Wadle

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Wednesday, April 24, 1996, at 8:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Ray Holman.

Significant events:
Two pieces were commissioned for the University Steel Bands: "Pan Is It in '96" by Cliff Alexis and "J'Ouvert Bounce" by Ray Holman. The tunes were taught by the composers to the group by rote, and the group transcribed them for future performances.

Fall 1995

Director: Dave Walton
Assistant Director: Darin Wadle

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 19, 1995, at 8:00 pm. Crowder Hall.

Significant events:
The Blue Band joins the steel bands from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University to form the Arizona State Steel Band, which performs at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in November, 1995, in Phoenix, AZ.

Spring 1995

Director: Khris Dodge
Assistant Director: Dave Walton

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Thursday, April 13, 1995, at 8:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Tucson High School Steel Band.

Significant events:
The Blue Band records the program's first CD, "Quite Frankly".

Fall 1994

Director: Khris Dodge
Assistant Director: Dave Walton

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Friday, November 11, 1994, at 3:00 pm. Fine Arts Courtyard.
Special Guest: Tucson High School Steel Band.

Spring 1994

Director: Khris Dodge
Assistant Director: Dave Walton

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, April 12, 1994, at 7:30 pm. Fine Arts Courtyard.
Special Guest: Ray Holman.

Fall 1993

Director: Khris Dodge
Assistant Director: Dave Walton

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, November 9, 1993, at 8:00 pm. Leo Rich Theater.
Special Guest: Cliff Alexis.

Spring 1993

Director: Dieter Schodde
Assistant Director: Khris Dodge

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, April 20, 1993, at 12:00 am.

Fall 1992

Director: Dieter Schodde
Assistant Director: Khris Dodge

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Sunday, November 8, 1992, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
The steel band has its concert on its own for the first time.

Spring 1992

Director: Dieter Schodde
Assistant Director: Khris Dodge

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, April 14, 1992, at 12:00 am.
Special Guest: Ira Osbourne, vocalist.

Fall 1991

Director: Dieter Schodde
Assistant Director: Khris Dodge

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Monday, November 11, 1991, at 12:00 am. Leo Rich Theater.

Significant events:
Two groups - the Blue Band and the Red Band - are created again, and Khris Dodge becomes the first assistant director in the program. The assistant director acts as the director of the Red Band.

Spring 1991

Director: Dave Walton

Bands: The University of Arizona Steel Band

Concert: Thursday, April 4, 1991, at 12:00 am.

Fall 1990

Director: Dave Walton

Bands: The University of Arizona Steel Band

Concert: Tuesday, November 6, 1990, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
Now called The University of Arizona Steel Band, the group continues to share concerts with the Rosewood Marimba Band.

Spring 1990

Director: Jeannine Remy

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, April 10, 1990, at 8:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Cliff Alexis and Ray Holman.

Fall 1989

Director: Jeannine Remy

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Wednesday, November 1, 1989, at 12:00 am.

Spring 1989

Director: Jeannine Remy

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, April 11, 1989, at 12:00 am.

Fall 1988

Director: Jeannine Remy

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, November 1, 1988, at 12:00 am.

Spring 1988

Director: Jeannine Remy

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Monday, March 7, 1988, at 8:00 pm. Crowder Hall.
Special Guest: Cliff Alexis.

Significant events:
A summer workshop in 1988 with Cliff Alexis helps build the program's instruments.

Fall 1987

Director: Jeannine Remy

Bands: Blue Band, Red Band

Concert: Tuesday, November 24, 1987, at 12:00 am.

Significant events:
Jeannine Remy and Professor Gary Cook launch The Pan Handlers, the first steel band at the University of Arizona. The Pan Handlers are comprised of two bands: the Red Band, made up of the beginning players, and the Blue Band, made up of the veteran players.

The first steel band concert is shared with the Rosewood Marimba Band. Rosewood fans proved a very supportive first audience for the steel band as its popularity grew.