Pan Progress - NYU Steel

New York, New York -  Dance, cheers, warm feelings and steelpan music wonderment were the order of the day at the NYU (New York University) Steel Fall concert at Frederick Loewe Theatre - all wrapped into a joyful, professional, educational and entertainment experience. Simply persuasive. And the operable word of the night would be “connection.” NYU Steel connected with the audience from start to finish.

NYU Steel’s beginning choreography at the start of their performance of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition

From Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” to Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” and then moving through Rush’s “Ghost of a Chance” and finally ending with Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso stand-out Merchant’s “One Superpower” - NYU Steel channeled the audience on a musical and transcendent journey that truly embraced the travels, history and experiences of the instrument. Yes, the steelpan is a living, breathing entity.  Moreover, it was very clear that members of NYU Steel have begun to develop very special relationships with the steelpan instrument and art form.

NYU Steel cools off with Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”

This past September, NYU Steel performed as a guest artist at the New York Panorama competition, the largest and most prestigious gathering of large, 100 players-strong steel orchestras outside of Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of the steelpan instruments. These Brooklyn orchestras are some of the best in the world. And NYU Steel members got a chance to experience and feel the intensity, joy and passion of the Brooklyn steelpan players and audience - the synergy between them. Moreover NYU Steel left with the understanding that Pan is much more than an instrument to these musicians - that it is an indelible part of their life, culture and mode of expression.

Clearly NYU Steel came back from the experience with something extra - that unexplainable connection to the music and instrument. You see it in their faces and movements, and performance - they get it - pan progress indeed. They have a deeper understanding as to why the steelpan instrument is mandatory for all percussion majors at NYU. And after this performance the audience got it too.

NYU Steel performs at their Fall 2013 concert

NYU Steel is made up of percussion majors. The steelpan is not necessarily their specialty - so it was indeed noteworthy watching them move from instrument to instrument of the steelpan music family throughout the evening’s performance. Beyond the obvious  musicianship, a well-rounded understanding and appreciation for the different voices of the steel orchestra is clearly developed. The players are very engaged and expressive. Furthermore, NYU Steinhardt Percussion Program director Professor Jonathan Haas (whose brainchild was NYU Steel) and NYU Steel director Josh Quillen - have cultivated an interest and appreciative esteem for the instrument, in addition to a profound respect for the way the genius of the pan originators - including the way  they learn, and perform. Josh could be heard telling his students that in preparation for their May 2014 concert, they would have to learn to play everything in the program repertoire by rote - similar to way the Trinidad/Tobago players learn and play - thereby exacting the benefits of and an appreciation to such an approach. Interestingly enough, none of the students seemed phased by such a challenge, as many had already seen the Brooklyn Panorama up close and personal.

Director Josh Quillen (second from left, in bandana) - just before their Fall 2013 performance, informs students they will be playing by rote for the May 2014 NYU Steel concert

NYU Steel Director Josh Quillen performs “What A Wonderful World” in honor of the late Nelson Mandela

On this night after the great Nelson Mandela transitioned - Josh Quillen played tribute to the iconic leader.  He honored him with a beautiful solo performance of “What A Wonderful World” that speaks for itself.

At the opening of the concert Quillen asked the audience, “How many of you are not familiar with the steelpan instrument?” One solitary hand went up. This was indeed surprising as it was only a few years ago that more than half of the audience would have raised their hands. Such has the been the undeniable success and progress of the NYU STEEL. The event program describes NYU Steel as “a significant performance ensemble within the NYU Steinhart Percussion Program...” Nuff said!

As the late great legendary drummer Max Roach said to WST on many occasions “the steelpan  is a magical instrument.” NYU Steel through the vision  of Dr. Haas and guidance of Quillen  has begun to harness and release its magic.  Don’t miss their May 2014 (always free) concert.

NYU STEEL Marc Akiyama Alex Appel Greg Auffredou Sara Barsky Sarah Bennett Doug Chew Indigo Cook Rose Egan Megan Emmanuel Abby Fisher Russell Fisher Jared Garner Akini Gill Rob Guilford Adam Holmes Luis Jacome Susan Ludterbach Dave Luetger Yale Litwin Brett Lupi Brandon Nestor Matthew Overbay Sean Perham Luz Carime Santa Coloma Kendall Williams Karina Yau

NYU Steel Bio

NYU Steel is a significant performance ensemble within the NYU Steinhardt Percussion Program, where Professor Jonathan Haas serves as Director. Under the direction of Joshua Quillen, NYU Steel is dedicated to exploring the art of steel pans to the fullest, performing rare compositions and arrangements ranging in scope from Philip Glass and Jason Trueting, to David Rudder and Lord Kitchener from Trinidad and Tobago, where the art form was invented. The ensemble presents several unique performances each year, collaborating with composers globally, while enriching the steel drum repertoire. Recent noteworthy accomplishments include the exclusive recording of Philip Glass’ Piano Etudes, arranged by Joshua Quillen, which was released by Orange Mountain Music in May 2011, as well as promotional and tribute performances for Glass’ 75th birthday.

NYU Steel emphasizes an artistically and culturally diverse array of performance styles that break with traditional boundaries surrounding the esoteric genre of steel pan music. NYU Steel seeks to create a bond between artist and audience that warrants an environment of creativity and community. With a hunger for innovation and desire to explore all the possibilities of steel pan music, NYU Steel has created the most unique ensemble of its kind, drawing from the rich cultural sounds of the Caribbean while incorporating the works of prominent composers such as Philip Glass in order to gain the instrument prominence on the world stage. As part of a global initiative instituted in collaboration with New York University, NYU Steel is constantly pursuing ways to reach audiences in an international scope, driving to cultivate a niche in the world stage. At the same time, NYU Steel continues to nurture relationships with the local community, intent on becoming leaders in education, performance, and creativity.

NYU Steel members after the 2013 Fall concert

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‘NYU Steel 2013 Fall concert’ - in Pictures
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