NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffAlumniAdvancementServiceFine Arts
Steel band to perform at Tour de Georgia time trial
Apr 13, 2005 3:56 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
While growing up in Trinidad, Ellie Mannette invented the steel drum as he sought a creative way to carry rhythm with his songs. He found that various convex shapes hammered into the top of a metal container could produce different notes and pitches. Mannette played publicly for the first time in 1946, winning first prize in a contest. As his innovative instrument quickly gained popularity, Mannette founded Mannette Steel Drums, Ltd. in Morganton, W.V., pioneering the way for bands such as Darlington’s Steel Tigers.
The unique sounds of Darlington’s steel drum band will accompany the Dodge Tour de Georgia time trial, which will begin at the School’s A.J. Huffman ’67 Memorial Athletic Center on April 21. The band will play throughout the afternoon, beginning at 11 a.m., on a stage set up in the Huffman Center parking lot. According to Bill King, band director for the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, song variety includes calypso, religious and everything in between.
The Steel Tigers, started by King three years ago, is the only steel drum band in Rome and Floyd County, and its 32 drums were personally built by Mannette from 55-gallon oil barrels. “Ellie Mannette not only built our drums, but he personally tunes them. His knowledge and expertise is greatly appreciated,” said King, who has known Mannette for over 25 years.
The Steel Tigers’ distinctive beats often travel beyond northwest Georgia. Aside from performing for alumni gatherings and local civic groups, the band has taken its trade to Birmingham, Alabama, Washington, D.C., and, most recently, to Walt Disney World as part of January’s Magic Music Days program.
“We are well received wherever we go, and we usually get three or four invitations to perform elsewhere with each trip,” said King, who added that the band is producing a CD that is expected to be recorded in early May. “We have a very strong band this year, and we are ready to put on an exciting and memorable performance [for the Tour de Georgia time trial].”
Featured songs will include “Under the Sea” arranged by King; “Jump for Joy” by Shelly Irvine; and “Through the Eyes of Love” from “Ice Castles” arranged by King. Religious songs “Fairest Lord Jesus” arranged by King, and “But for Grace” by Ray Holman will also be played in memory of students Clay McKemie and Sean Wilkinson, who were both members of the band.
The unique sounds of Darlington’s steel drum band will accompany the Dodge Tour de Georgia time trial, which will begin at the School’s A.J. Huffman ’67 Memorial Athletic Center on April 21. The band will play throughout the afternoon, beginning at 11 a.m., on a stage set up in the Huffman Center parking lot. According to Bill King, band director for the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, song variety includes calypso, religious and everything in between.
The Steel Tigers, started by King three years ago, is the only steel drum band in Rome and Floyd County, and its 32 drums were personally built by Mannette from 55-gallon oil barrels. “Ellie Mannette not only built our drums, but he personally tunes them. His knowledge and expertise is greatly appreciated,” said King, who has known Mannette for over 25 years.
The Steel Tigers’ distinctive beats often travel beyond northwest Georgia. Aside from performing for alumni gatherings and local civic groups, the band has taken its trade to Birmingham, Alabama, Washington, D.C., and, most recently, to Walt Disney World as part of January’s Magic Music Days program.
“We are well received wherever we go, and we usually get three or four invitations to perform elsewhere with each trip,” said King, who added that the band is producing a CD that is expected to be recorded in early May. “We have a very strong band this year, and we are ready to put on an exciting and memorable performance [for the Tour de Georgia time trial].”
Featured songs will include “Under the Sea” arranged by King; “Jump for Joy” by Shelly Irvine; and “Through the Eyes of Love” from “Ice Castles” arranged by King. Religious songs “Fairest Lord Jesus” arranged by King, and “But for Grace” by Ray Holman will also be played in memory of students Clay McKemie and Sean Wilkinson, who were both members of the band.
