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Music prof stresses culture in steel band tradition presentation

Laura Pearse

Though their music is straight out of Trinidad, according to founder and director of the Miami University steel band Chris Tanner, the band aims to do something different and new.

A presentation by Tanner Thursday evening in the Shriver Heritage Room traced the history and development of steel band music.

The event was sponsored by the Center for American and World Cultures (CAWC) to provide students with the opportunity to learn about, understand and appreciate different cultures.

"The mission is to promote intergroup relations among students, faculty and staff on campus and ultimately to improve the climate for diversity on campus," the CAWC Web site reads.

Tanner illustrated the origins and terminology of pan music, incorporating demonstrations of steel band music into his presentation. First Tanner defined pan music, since, he said, its definition is widely unknown.

"Pan is music and pan is people," Tanner said. "These guys had no idea what they were doing. They made it from scratch. They were people who didn't have anything to do. Now, it is the national instrument of Trinidad, but when it was first coming out, people hated it."

According to Tanner, pan is a class of instruments and also known as steel drums.

Tanner said the history of pan music originates with the French migration from the French Caribbean Islands to Trinidad in the late 1700's. This migration introduced the idea of the masquerade-a time of celebration before Lent was celebrated-Tanner said.

"The French introduced and made it important in the culture," Tanner said. "This is the root, where it all begins."

When the import of African slaves increased in the early 1800's, steel band music became integrated into Trinidadian culture, but it created tension.

"Their culture had an impact, and that impact was different in different parts of the world," Tanner said. "But a culture clash was also created."

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Sophomore Lauren Miller, who is in the steel band, thinks the music is fun, easy to dance to and happy. After attending a concert, she decided she wanted to experience it herself.

"I learned a lot about the history of pan music from the lecture," Miller said. "I learn more every time I hear about it."

Sophomore Ryan Davidson is not a member of the steel band-yet.

"I had never listened to the music before hearing a friend play, but I am interested and may audition next semester," Davidson said. "I like how it reflects the culture of the water and the beach. You can hear that imagery."

Miami University steel band currently has three albums available on iTunes, with another on the way.

"We have recorded five songs this semester," said sophomore Kramer Gibson, a member of the steel band. "A producer came and we will continue recording next semester and plan on an album coming out over the summer."

Tanner said that understanding the culture of steel band is the key to playing the music.

"Culture is learned behavior," Tanner said. "And we have to learn it, or we are just playing notes and not the groove. We have a really exciting program and everyone who isn't afraid to check it out really enjoys it. The students in my band are my friends, and we make music. I tell them to think about what we get to do. We get to go on stage and have fun and make people happy. I have the greatest job in the world."