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Steel Drum Band performs at Brentwood School
Jan 26, 2006 11:46 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington’s Steel Drum Band took their talent on the road this week, performing two concerts at Brentwood School in Sandersville, Ga.
“We live in a rural area and are always looking for ways to expose our students to a broader world through visiting speakers, field trips and fine arts performances. Only through expanding our horizons can we truly become educated individuals who are prepared to be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jackie Holton, head of school. “A former Brentwood parent attended an event at which Darlington’s Steel Drum Band was performing, enjoyed the performance, and contacted me to recommend them.”
Holton then invited the band to perform two concerts at Brentwood, one for the community on Tuesday and one for the school on Wednesday.
“We were all very anxious to learn more about the steel drums in general and to have the opportunity to experience the variety of types of music for which they can be used,” said Holton. “I don’t know whether we will start a similar program or not, but it is my hope that these performances will help us make that decision.”
Darlington sophomore Dane Walsh said performing for other schools is one of the best parts about being in the Steel Band. “Watching other people respond to something that they know little to nothing about is really fun,” he said. “People are always excited to hear us because it’s something different. The music we play is usually happy and upbeat, and this makes the audience more receptive to our sound.”
The band performed “Play Dat Ting!” “Yellow Bird,” “Under the Sea,” “But For Grace,” “Solace of You,” “Symptoms of Carnival,” “Amazing Grace” and “Sticks!” At both shows, the audience joined some of the band members in doing a conga line to “Symptoms of Carnival.”
“The steel drum band is the fastest growing instrumental group in the world. I’m just happy to be a part of it,” said Walsh.
“We live in a rural area and are always looking for ways to expose our students to a broader world through visiting speakers, field trips and fine arts performances. Only through expanding our horizons can we truly become educated individuals who are prepared to be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jackie Holton, head of school. “A former Brentwood parent attended an event at which Darlington’s Steel Drum Band was performing, enjoyed the performance, and contacted me to recommend them.”
Holton then invited the band to perform two concerts at Brentwood, one for the community on Tuesday and one for the school on Wednesday.
“We were all very anxious to learn more about the steel drums in general and to have the opportunity to experience the variety of types of music for which they can be used,” said Holton. “I don’t know whether we will start a similar program or not, but it is my hope that these performances will help us make that decision.”
Darlington sophomore Dane Walsh said performing for other schools is one of the best parts about being in the Steel Band. “Watching other people respond to something that they know little to nothing about is really fun,” he said. “People are always excited to hear us because it’s something different. The music we play is usually happy and upbeat, and this makes the audience more receptive to our sound.”
The band performed “Play Dat Ting!” “Yellow Bird,” “Under the Sea,” “But For Grace,” “Solace of You,” “Symptoms of Carnival,” “Amazing Grace” and “Sticks!” At both shows, the audience joined some of the band members in doing a conga line to “Symptoms of Carnival.”
“The steel drum band is the fastest growing instrumental group in the world. I’m just happy to be a part of it,” said Walsh.
