West Hill Primary School
West Hill Primary School is located in Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire.
The school steelband was formed in the 2006 and is called West Hill Steel Band.
It was formed by the Headteacher, Mr Miles because he believed that a steelband would:
- add a new dimension to music making within the school
- enable primary school pupils to develop the love of music
- create an opportunity for pupils to engage regularly in performing as an exciting ensemble
Funding was sought and pans were ordered.
The school has five steelbands: one from Year 6, two from Year 5, a staff steelband and one for the recently retired colleagues.
The pupils practice every single day (before school, breaktimes and lunchtimes). Competition in the music room is such that there are three rotas to enable all pupils to have chance to play as much as possible. Additionally, each group has a formal Pan Lesson once a week.
The music repertoire is very large, featuring arrangements from music within the last 40 years. Some of these include traditional Caribbean music, Take That, Queen, Tom Jones, Abba and Motown arrangements.
The school receives a large number of bookings every year. The types of bookings range from carnivals, weddings, Country Fairs and conferences.
As the band is quite large featuring 21 pans and associated percussion, they rely on a local removal company to transport the pans. The school’s parental body support and assist in transporting the band members.
What the pupils say?
“Learning pans has been an exciting experience and performing with my friends is always great fun”
“Mr Miles gives us exciting music to play which we enjoy”
“I enjoy being taken to hotels and conferences and we have played at weddings too”
“Mr Miles and Mrs Hood are so kind and generous in giving of their time at weekends”
Information supplied to My Panyard by West Hill Primary School