Oklahoma Christian University’s annual Fall Grand Concert is right around the corner. The concert will feature performances by the jazz band, symphonic band, and chorale and chamber singers. The steel drum band will kick off the concert with a fun and relaxing performance in the Conservatory.
Directed by Caitlin Harouff, the steel drum band brings a unique sound and energy to the university’s music program.
“The steel drum band is a musical ensemble that plays a variety of steelpan instruments, which are pitched percussion instruments made from steel oil drums. The steel drums are also accompanied by traditional percussion instruments, such as drumset, congas, and shakers,” Harouff said. “Our current steel drum band has twelve members, many of which are freshmen. We meet once a week for an hour to rehearse our pieces.”
Harouff said she hopes to encourage community and fellowship among the band members.
“My role as director is to select music, prepare the band for all performances, and do everything I can to set my students up for success,” Harouff said. “It is my hope that our members can come together once a week, put aside their stresses, and relax in the community and fellowship of making music.”
Beyond fostering community, Harouff said she values the accessibility the steel drum program offers to students of all skill levels.
“The steel drum band is unique because we have students from all levels of musical training – from those who have never read music, all the way up to music majors,” Harouff said. “Steel drums are very accessible for everyone, no matter your level of musical ability.”
Senior Faith Kinsey heard about the steel drum band through other music majors who were active in the band during their four years in college. They inspired her to join as well.
“I play the bass pans, they’re particularly unique because of how many pans are used,” Kinsey said. “Bass pans use six separate pans all together and are used often to keep time with the drum set.”
Junior Pamela Batres, a member of the university’s symphonic band, said she is excited the steel drum band is a part of Oklahoma Christian’s music program.
“I think the steel drum band is a very unique part of the band here at Oklahoma Christian. I’ve heard them play and it’s just such an interesting way to make music, and it’s so cool to have so much come from the same type of instrument,” Batres said. “The music is as unique as the instrument itself, and I think it’s cool how the music department is branching out to more modern type of music, like modern pop, while simultaneously adding the unique sound of the steel drums, which not a lot of people know about, and mixing it with the modern music more people know about.”
Batres will also be performing at the Fall Grand Concert and said she is looking forward to the variety of music styles it will feature.
“I’m looking forward to hearing all the different types of music with the different types of instruments, as well as the different styles of music,” Batres said. “Depending on the band, there can be drastic differences in the styles of music and how they play, and I know there are different types of bands playing in the Grand Concert, so I’m looking forward to hearing the wide variety of music that will be played.”
The Fall Grand Concert will take place this Sunday at 2 p.m. in Baugh Auditorium. Admission is free.
0
0
Be First to Comment