InTune

Steel Impressions Youth Ensemble -- Audition Date/Time Change

2008-06-18T22:31:00.003-05:00

The Steel Impressions Youth Ensemble audition dates and times have changed. Auditions will be held the following dates and times:

June 23, 2008 - 10:00 - 11:00; 3:00 - 4:00 pm

July 1, 2008 - 10:00 - 12:00 pm

Please email janera@solomonsteelpan.com or call 412 431 - 6030 ext. 4 to schedule an appointment.

thanks,

janera

What do you know about pan history?

2008-06-12T21:48:00.004-05:00

i don't understand why so many people who really know nothing of steelpan history insist on talking about it. first of all, the idea that pan comes from one man or one source is ridiculous. to talk about the development of pan as though it were simple, would be like crediting the invention of the piano or violin to one person.

There are at least two types of pan in the world right now, both with wildly different histories: pan created in Trinidad and Phil Solomon. The two approaches couldn't be more different. How would we characterize the two approaches? What are they based on? How are the design and Tuning processes different? I will be addressing these questions and much more through a series of blog entries and podcasts.

In the meantime though, i would very much appreciate it, if steelband directors, or pan students would stop talking about pan as a "accidental" discovery of the Caribbean or the invention of Ellie Mannette, or the "lucky accident" that resulted from the remainder of steeldrum barrels left over from World War II. These characterizations are propagate myths and are truly disrespectful to pan makers, tuners, arrangers and players everywhere.

Steel Impressions Youth Ensemble

2008-05-29T23:29:00.005-05:00

Steel Impressions Steelband, started by Phil Solomon, over thirty years ago is launching a training program for young, talented steelband players in Western Pennsylvania. Interested students should review the following information and complete an interest form.

You can visit: http://www.panpittsburgh.org for more info.

Auditions will be held Monday June 23, 2008 from 10 - 3:00 pm.

Lunch will be served.

To learn more please call 412.431. 6030 ext. 4 or email janera@solomonsteelpan.com

Steelin Jazz Jam Session

2008-01-25T13:08:00.006-05:00

This is one of my favorite clips from panPittsburgh 2007 from the jazz jam session, Steelin Jazz with Roger Humprhies Quintet, Roy Crosse and Phil Solomon. Held in a great loft space downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District, it was one of our most memorable events; folks are still talking about it. This clip doesn't quite capture the beautiful performances by the group that night but we love Phil's solo on this song.

Phil Solomon and Steel Impressions "Moonlight Sonata"

2008-01-25T11:59:00.000-05:00

This is a clip from a black box theater performance of panPittsburgh's first Classical Steel program. The idea for the event was to play some of Phil's favorite classical pieces for audiences in an intimate setting. It was a beautiful evening of performance. The complete program was performed later as part of the August Wilson Center's First Voice Festival.

pan tuning

2007-06-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

what makes certain sounds interesting or appealing than others? for as long as i can remember i've loved to the sound of a steelpan. my father used to make his pans in our house. so i always knew he was home by hearing the tuning sounds from the basement. i'd sit and watch him, until the note came in. to hear a note come into existence is an amazing experience to hear.

i went to my father's shop a couple months ago and just as i alway do, i stood and watched him tuning a pan. he makes it seem effortless. the way he strokes the pan with a hammer and mallet, a perfect balance, with just the right amount of tension... here's a short clip.

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8216135390496578267&hl=en

Roy Crosse

2007-06-08T11:59:00.000-05:00

i just love this music from Roy Crosse. He will be our featured performer Friday June 15 for Steelin Jazz. here's a sample...five.wma

panPittsburgh2007 Ambridge

2007-06-02T17:17:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day for panPittsburgh at the family stage. Thanks to Ambridge for making it an incredible success. a great stage. great weather. great audience. and great performance by Ambridge Area High School students.

The students are truly impressive. great energy and stage presence. it was great to see them smiling, looking as if they are truly enjoying themselves. I'm looking forward to the other performances.

Here are some photos:
panPgh07%20Ambridge%20010.jpg

panPgh07%20Ambridge%20003.jpg

panPgh07%20Ambridge%20007.jpg

classical steel

2007-05-24T16:36:00.000-05:00

this is a live recording from a 2005 performance featuring Phil Solomon and University of Mary Steelband.

piano%20concerto%20in%20c.wma

Paying Attention

2007-03-12T17:18:00.000-05:00

I feel good about the two steelpan classes i taught today. Though i hate to admit it, its increasingly difficult to stay invested in teaching. i love my students, actually i love watching them discover their potential but it seems there's a longer ramp up time. We have to get through the, "i dont feel like it" and "its too hard" and "i'm tired" and all of the other tactics that people use to avoid trying something new, that they might potentially fail. in some cases, its real. Students are tired, or bored, or feel afraid of the challenge of playing an instrument. my problem/challenge is taking the time and patience/energy to determine the difference.

how do you teach students to focus? really to listen...to be in the present and truly put themselves into what they're doing. This is one of my goals as a teacher. I've learned to use my tone of voice and repetition and short, direct statements to explain information and give directions. in an ensemble class for students, mostly without prior musical training, for whom the steelpan is their first instrument, clear direction is key.

But there's more to the challenge. They seem to need quick response and lots of activity. they can easily get lost in their thoughts or in a conversation with another student. Generally though there's not too much of this but just enough that its distracting to learning; especially here since the goal is to play music from memory.

I'm experimenting with different ways to place students on instruments. sometimes its based on interest or skill, or on personality, character or style. today, i noticed that one of my tenth grade students, who was initially on a double tenor pan, was playing in a melodic way, just randomly hitting a series of notes, so i asked him to switch to a lead. he went there, but because the melody was too challenging, i think, he started distracting the student next to him. he seemed particularly interested in the rhythms the Double Gitta and Bass were playing so i asked him to learn it on drums. it was a good move. enough of a challenge to keep him focused but not frustrated. i think it was a good move...time will tell.

my challenge though is to teach something else, much more difficult than playing pan. staying focused is something i realize students (and adults) are struggling with. i used to think it was all on the teacher -- that my lesson plans and ability to implement them were the key to keeping students engaged. yes that's crucial but not everything. students must also learn to be engaged. That paying attention and staying with an activity, is an intentional act; it happens by choice. i want them to figure out how to present, in the moment. This means learning to enjoy what they are doing, and to find something interesting/appealing in each moment, in each activity.

more importantly i want them to learn to perform a sort of diagnosis to determine what they need need physically to stay engaged. Is it water before class or during class? Is it a different meal at lunch? is it more rest or simply changing their posture. this is about learning to be in tuned with one's mind, body and soul. Perhaps its naive, not sure but that's my goal as a teacher. Yes they learn to play music and they learn steelpan, but this its a means to an end. This is about "teaching to trangress..."

this is now my tenth year teaching pan, and my seventh year with this school and through the tough moments what keeps me going is the remembering to be in the moment. to appreciate each classroom experience not for what i'd like it to be but for what it is, a learning experience for my students and for me.

Tropical Sundays at Phipps

2007-02-19T10:20:00.000-05:00

Steel Impressions will be performing this weekend at Phipps Conservatory as part of the Tropical Sundays events. Live music from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

Driving Directions (http://www.phipps.conservatory.org/directions.htm)

Steelpan on Mr. Rogers (YouTube)

2007-02-14T14:33:00.000-05:00

just for curiosity, and perhaps in need of a distraction, I googled steelpan videos and first on the list is a video featuring Phil Solomon (my father!) making a steelpan and Mr. Rogers (learning to play). It also features my three sisters in their pre-fashionable days (this was recorded in the early 90s!) playing pan (lead, double, four bass and percussion) with Phil.

Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv7_todEbKs