“Our school was one of the first to have a Steel Pan Ensemble, which got its start in 1986,” says Lance Drege,associate professor of percussion at OU School of Music. “After about 20 years the pans had been beaten out of tune and the metals were too soft. We’ve began replacing the sections over the last four years and are excited to showcase our new pans in this inaugural concert.”

The University of Oklahoma School of Music presents a Steel Pan Festival featuring musicians Shannon Dudley, Darren Dyke, C.J. Menge, OU student Atiba Williams and High School Steel Pan Ensembles from around the state. The festival kicks off at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10 in Pitman Recital Hall with a concert that features original compositions for steel pans from the duo Two Seconds, featuring Darren Dyke and C.J. Menge, along with a special guest, Shannon Dudley.

“Friday’s concert allows people to interact with the performers and see the steel pans up close,” says Drege. “People always seem to be very fascinated by the pans and this is a great way to show off our new steel.”

The festival continues at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Sharp Concert Hall with a combined finale that includes the High School Steel Pan Ensembles from Bartlesville, Owasso and Edmond Santa Fe along withShannon Dudley, an ethnomusicologist from the University of Washington who specializes in steel pan music from Trinidad, Menge, Dyke and the OU Steel Pan Ensemble. The finale will incorporate works similar to what can be heard at Carnival in Trinidad along with a new composition for steel pans by OU School of Music student, Atiba Williams.

Saturday starts off with workshops and clinics that are a part of the festival and are free and open to the public. At 2 p.m., Dudley, Menge and Dyke present a panel and workshop. A steel pan clinic for the three high school bands will begin at 3:30 p.m. And a mass rehearsal of the three high school bands, guest musicians and the OU Steel Pan Ensemble of the new compositions will begin at 5 p.m.

Dudley is associate professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Washington and a guest curator for the museum exhibit and website American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music.  He also participates in the Seattle Fandango Project, working to build community through participatory music.  Dudley, has performed with several Trinidadian steel pan bands Panorama, and has played with steel pan band artists Ray Holman, Boogsie Sharpe, Andy Narell, and Pan Ramajay.  He directs the UW steel pan band and performs with several Seattle area bands, including Pan Duo and Sambatuque.

Dyke’s versatility and comprehensive knowledge of steel pans have made him much sought-after as a musician and tuner throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has performed with notable musicians including Boogsie Sharpe, Ray Holman, Ken “Professor”  Philmore and others. In addition to his accomplishments as a performing artist, Dyke has extensive experience as a clinician and educator. Universities across the nation have hosted him for workshops, clinics, festivals, and concerts.

Menge continues to present additional workshops, school assembly concerts, and performances, throughout the Greater Austin area. He has also directed steel pan bands at the University of Texas (Austin) and Round Rock High School. He performs as a solo artist, with the High School steel bands, and with his own professional group of the same name.

The festival is part of the Masala World Music and Norton Visiting Artist Concert Series, performances are in OU’s Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd, in your OU Arts District!  Tickets for Sutton Series events are $9 for adults and $5 for students, OU faculty/staff and senior adults. For tickets and up-to-date information call the Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.

Please visit http://music.ou.edu/ for a full calendar of events and performances at the School of Music. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Box Office at (405) 325-4101.

For a high-res image of the band, Two Seconds, click here.

If you would like more information about the history of the Steel Pan, guest musicians or to schedule an interview please email Zoe Sherinian atzsherinian@ou.edu.