Course Syllabus

Steelband Class

½ Credit

Dept. of Visual and Performing Arts

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the playing of steelband music. Steel drums (or “pans”) are well-suited for beginner musicians. Students will learn a reportoire of classic calypso music, as well as the finer points of performativity, dynamics, “melding” strums, and dancing! 

Grading

For students who are taking the class for the first time:

Participation: participation in a steelband means two things: playing and listening. This means that, together, we’ll overcome any stage fright we might have about playing in front of each other. This also means that, when I’m working with another student in the classroom, you’re mindful of your own volume and behavior. 

Spring Concert: at the end of the semester, we will participate in the Holiday Concert. Everyone is expected to participate. If you don’t show up, or can’t make the concert, then you will be expected to complete an independent study project instead.

For students who have already taken the steelband class, there will be an additional grade. This grade will come from a poster project of your choice. 

Course Contract

1. Regarding respect. Respect in the panroom means two things: respect for each other, and respect for the instrument. The teacher commits to the following: to treat each student and their needs with respect. To approach each student as an individual learner, and with individual goals. The student commits to the following: to recognize that we all come to the panroom with different skills and backgrounds, so each student deserves our respect. What may be a simple task for one student can be a milestone achievement for another student, and each of these should be celebrated! The student also commits to being respectful to the instrument. This means never hitting the instrument too hard, or with anything except a pan stick. This also means seeking guidance from the teacher on how to play the instrument in a way that doesn’t potentially damage it. 

1. Pan is fun, there’s just no way around it. Playing the music, the organized chaos of the panroom, the adventures we’ll have together, should all make for a good time. I have found, in my time as both a high school pan player and an adult pan teacher/player, that the most fun happens when players are diligent and paying attention. We all have a good time when the music sounds good, and when each player is putting in the same effort. The teacher commits to the following: to keep this class fun and enjoyable. If it feels like a slog, we’ll take a break. If one student is frustrating another student, I’ll kerb that behavior. The student commits to the following: to have fun, to make sure your classmates are having fun, to let me know when it’s not feeling fun, and to be patient as each of us will learn and adapt to pan playing at a different pace, and to not being on your phone during class.