Steel drum music has the ability to move an audience like no other type of music. From the first note, the songs exude a happiness from within each pannist. Even with the slower pieces, you can close your eyes and imagine yourself in a tropical surrounding. The AISD concert, conducted by CJ Menge, which took place April 14, 2012 certainly did not disappoint. The concert was performed in Austin, Texas and featured steel drum bands from seven middle and high schools in the area.
The first piece, Cool it Down is relatively new to the streets of Trinidad, played during Carnival season. It is also considered a soca-style piece, which is a fairly new type of steel drum music. Most of the steel drum music heard today is soca. Soca was created by Garfield Blackman in …show more content…
I found myself humming it hours after I heard it. I always say that is the sign of a good song – if you can remember it hours after first hearing it. It was impossible not to tap along and be totally immersed in this piece. It was light, while at the same time powerful. It felt like it had a beginning, middle and end. Sort of like telling a story.
The next piece took me by surprise somewhat because it is not a piece of music you would think of when you think of steel drum music. Bach’s Cantata No. 29 Sinfonia was skillfully performed orchestral composition and almost reminded me of Christmas music. I enjoyed it and found it very relaxing.
It is a transcription of Bach’s original work and was arranged originally for organ. Although I do not listen to classical music in general, I might want to check out Bach’s original composition. This particular arrangement was done by a student of Liam Teague’s at Northern Illinois University.
Although I wish the audience were more engaged, this fact did not take anything away from the performance of these very talented teens. Each performer looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying each
The first piece, Cool it Down is relatively new to the streets of Trinidad, played during Carnival season. It is also considered a soca-style piece, which is a fairly new type of steel drum music. Most of the steel drum music heard today is soca. Soca was created by Garfield Blackman in …show more content…
I found myself humming it hours after I heard it. I always say that is the sign of a good song – if you can remember it hours after first hearing it. It was impossible not to tap along and be totally immersed in this piece. It was light, while at the same time powerful. It felt like it had a beginning, middle and end. Sort of like telling a story.
The next piece took me by surprise somewhat because it is not a piece of music you would think of when you think of steel drum music. Bach’s Cantata No. 29 Sinfonia was skillfully performed orchestral composition and almost reminded me of Christmas music. I enjoyed it and found it very relaxing.
It is a transcription of Bach’s original work and was arranged originally for organ. Although I do not listen to classical music in general, I might want to check out Bach’s original composition. This particular arrangement was done by a student of Liam Teague’s at Northern Illinois University.
Although I wish the audience were more engaged, this fact did not take anything away from the performance of these very talented teens. Each performer looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying each