About Us
Making A Difference
Ways To Give
Apply For A Grant
Professional Advisors
Foundation News
Campaigns
The Plymouth based Estover Steel Band received a grant of £4,600 for an outreach workshop programme and summer school for young people interested in playing Steel Pan. The summer school culminated in a performance at the Notting Hill Carnival in London.
The benefits to young people taking part in music making are widely recognised. It can help to build confidence and self-esteem and introduce them to a wide range of new experiences.
The outreach programme gave young people a taste of percussion, whilst the summer school enabled them to develop higher levels of skill and learn about the culture the music originates from. The tutors who led the workshops have previously worked with top steel bands and have successfully retained their reputations within the steel pan circuit.
The culminating performance at the Notting Hill Carnival gave them a fantastic experience of a multicultural event. Two 45ft lorries were used as the band's performance stage, which held approximately 50 players. Each band had just ten minutes to impress the judges and adjudicators - and of course the crowd! The Estover Band performed in between the reigning champions and the previous year's champions. This meant their performance had to be of an exceptionally high standard, putting added pressure on the shoulders of the young inexperienced players. It was a huge gamble for the Band's reputation, but it paid off. They played superbly and did the South West proud! Listen to some of their music here.
.