Featured Steelband
Steelband music in schools is now an integral part of the steelpan culture throughout the United Kingdom (UK).
This section aims to support the many UK steelbands that have contributed to music education and many other aspects of their band member's educational development by playing steelpans.
The featured steelbands will hopefully encourage newly developing steelbands to take a closer look at the various achievements accomplished, and to implement elements that may enhance their own projects.
Some of the themes that are highlighted in each feature are:
- encouraging pupils to work independently or in a group
- sharing experiences and presenting basic skills to others
- gaining opportunities to engage in cultural events
- exploring music and its role within society as a possible career
New Steelpan Examinations
New steelpan examinations will be available in Great Britain and Trinidad from the 24th February 2012. The examinations will be available in two stages:
- grades 1 - 5 from Early 2012
- grades 6 - 8 from Mid 2012
The examination grades have been validated by the Open College Network Credit4learning and equate to the National Framework of Qualifications (UK) where Grade 3 is Level One, grade 5 is Level Two (GCSE level) and grade 8 is Level Three, (A level).
While the rationale for these examinations is to first celebrate students’ achievements, its aims are also to:
- protect steelpan culture
- ensure that it does not become subsumed by other forms of music
- enable its students to develop skills that will help them and the steel pan instrument to develop
- ensure its future as an outstanding artistic phenomenon
The purpose of these examinations is therefore to:
- Strengthen and develop steel pan playing
- Value the acquisition of skills by players and the abilities of their teachers
- Provide support to teachers; students; arrangers and players;
- Maintain and develop Good Practice
- Provide opportunities for students who work through the examination system to develop the skills needed to arrange music for steel pan instruments
- Safeguard the Steel Pan and Folk Music of the Trinidad and West Indian Culture, whilst assisting in its future development
Details of these examinations may be obtained from PRSSV website http://sangeet-examinations.co.uk/