Steel Band

My Thoughts on Music Education

Decolonizing Music Education

Music pedagogy in Canadian schools has been deeply rooted in Eurocentric histories and traditions, privileging only some of the many global music traditions. A pillar of my teaching philosophy is ensuring that music programming must reflect the learners in that space, those who are absent, and those historically excluded from colonial curricula.

More recently, music education has begun to embrace diverse programming to widen the scope for our learners about instruments from around the world, diverse music genres, and the social and spiritual practice of numerous music traditions. Decolonizing music education honours and sharpens a broader range of musical skills, theories and locales, resulting in a greater understanding of and respect for multiple approaches to teaching and learning music.

Why Steel Band?

Steel band music allows learners to explore and respect a different culture of music and music education. Steel band methodology cultivates musicianship, foundational rudiments of music, and performance to a wide range of learners with ease.

The steel pan is a versatile instrument that can be played in any genre. This allows learners the freedom to express their musical interests and tastes, making it relatable and relevant. It also encourages creativity and ingenuity.

Learners can hear the results of their efforts in no time, instilling a sense of pride and motivation to continue learning.

Playing in a band is much like playing on a sports team. Learners develop collaborative skills, the value of teamwork, and how to listen to one another both socially and, in this case, musically.

Most importantly, it's fun!

About the Steel Pan

A Brief History

The steel pan is a musical instrument indigenous to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The early evolution of the instrument dates back to the 1930s and 40s, making it one of the only acoustic instruments to be invented in the twentieth century. (https://mittcott.com/history-of-pan/)

It was established in the contexts of Carnival resistance, its history being traced back to the enslaved Africans who were brought to the Caribbean in the 1700s.

The steel pan is possibly the only instrument made from discarded oil barrels, demonstrating the ingenuity and innovation of its creators. Hammered into the shiny metal surface is a series of dents. Each one creates a different note, subtly different from the ones around it, according to their position and size. Different drums contain different tonal ranges equivalent to soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The drums are usually made and tuned by hand, making pan makers gifted scientists and artists.

Pan music can sometimes have a "cruise ship" mentality because people think of it as a happy summery sound from Trinidad and the Caribbean islands, but it is much more. The invention and evolution of this instrument are deeply rooted in rich history and cultural pride, and it is a joy to share my country's instrument with the students I work with here in Toronto!