The Virtual Steelband is an opportunity for pannists around the world to participate together in one steelband performance that spans the globe virtually. Pastiche Steel Ensemble is hosting and producing this performance. The idea was brought to the ensemble by one of its members Mia Gormandy after viewing Eric Whitacre’s “Virtual Choir.” Other Pastiche members including Yuko Asada, Abe Breiling, and Scott McConnell latched on to the idea, and they later formed a committee to produce the Virtual Steelband. The Virtual Steelband Committee successfully launched a Kickstarter to raise funds for the project, which gave them the opportunity to hire a professional audio engineer and cinematographer to help create the final product. In addition, Liam Teague was commissioned to write an original composition for the Virtual Steelband, which is entitled “Bella Vista.” The Virtual Steelband Committee received positive feedback from pannists residing in multiple countries around the world including Spain, Argentina, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Trinidad and Tobago, just to name a few. The Virtual Steelband Committee is bringing the steelband world together through this venture, and is bringing awareness to the number of pannists residing in multiple countries around the world.
There is a lot of great music being performed in Trinidad and Tobago’s Panorama every year. Even though the smaller groups don’t get as much publicity, I really enjoy listening to the Medium sized bands. Curepe Scherzando performs Bass Man at the Steelband Panorama Finals Medium Bands Champions 2015.
Tonight is DCI finals in Indianapolis, Indiana. Carolina Crown has been in first place for the past two nights. After watching this video, I am sure you can see why they have been at the top this season. Good luck to all of the corps tonight. [Note: YouTube pulled the original video I had posted due to copyright infringement by the person who posted it. Here’s a video of the show, but be sure to check it out on the DCI.org site when it is released.]
It’s DCI Finals week and I am in Indy for my first DCI Finals experience. The level of the performers is very high. One of the top corps this year is Carolina Crown. This video features the front ensemble.
YouTube is an amazing resource! I can spend a lot of time listening to great performances, learning new percussion music or watching my idols perform and talk about their music. Vinnie Colaiuta is someone I could watch for hours! He is a legend in the drum set world and I remember seeing him play with Sting at the Hollywood Bowl during the Ten Summoner’s Tales tour (on Stings 40th birthday).
In this video, he talks about the groove in Seven Days.
