Wesleyan Steel Bands ‘Pan the Night Away’

Olivia DrakeDecember 17, 20093min
Brandi Cahill, assistant director of the Office of University Events, performs on steel drums during the "Pannin' the Night Away: Steel Band Live" concert Dec. 13 in Usdan University Center. The Wesleyan staff steel band opened.
Brandi Cahill, assistant director of the Office of University Events, performs on steel drums during the "Pannin' the Night Away: Steel Band Live" fall semester concert. The Wesleyan staff band opened with "Under the Sea."
Cheryl-Ann Hagner, director of the Office of University Events and Scheduling, performs on a steel drum with the staff band.
Cheryl-Ann Hagner, director of the Office of University Events and Scheduling, performs on a steel drum with the staff band. Other staff performers included Lisa Calhoun, Camille Dolansky, Susanne Javorski, Mariah Reisner, Beth Labriola, Brian Nangle and Karen Nichols.
Student performers are enrolled in the MUSC course Steel Band, taught by Bill Carbone, private lessons teacher. The course teaches students primarily to perform, but also to discuss and analyze this specific music.
Student performers are enrolled in the MUSC course Steel Band. The course teaches students primarily to perform, but also to discuss and analyze this specific music.
Wesleyan students watch their peers perform on the steel drums.
Wesleyan students watch their peers perform on the steel drums.
The steel pan (or steel drum) is composed of from one to nine 55-gallon steel barrel drums, suspended with stands.
The steel pan (or steel drum) is composed of from one to nine 55-gallon steel barrel drums, suspended with stands. The steel pan is played with wood or aluminum mallets wrapped with rubber which allows the instrument to resonate. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett Drake)