| Whether you are planning a birthday party, corporate | | | | straps for the neck, to march in parades. Depending on |
| function, or an outdoor festival, you know the most | | | | the band, songs will vary from island and reggae |
| important objective is for everyone attending to enjoy | | | | standards and calypso songs, to steelpan |
| themselves. You could hire a fabulous caterer to | | | | interpretations of works by contemporary musicians. |
| provide delicious finger foods or a sit-down dinner, and | | | | Songs by Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley, for two, are |
| decorate according to your party's theme, yet all the | | | | often covered by pannists. |
| aesthetics won't provide the level entertainment that | | | | Why Hire a Steel Band? |
| only a live band can bring. Why not consider a tropical | | | | The addition of a Caribbean style band to your private |
| theme for your affair, complete with an authentic steel | | | | function or public event adds an air of festivity |
| band? | | | | guaranteed to attract music lovers. The lively melodies |
| What is a Steel Band? | | | | coupled with bright decor encourage hours of dancing |
| True to the name, a steel band is a group comprised | | | | and make for happy memories your guests will share |
| primarily of musicians specializing in steel pans, or steel | | | | long after the party is over. |
| drums. Perhaps you have seen television shows or | | | | Don't think, too, that because such bands are primarily |
| movies set in the Caribbean that have featured such | | | | rooted in the Caribbean that it will be difficult to find |
| groups - you might see three or four people using | | | | one where you live. Do an Internet search, and you'll |
| "pansticks" to tap beats in different concave drums. | | | | discover that it is as easy to hire a steel band in |
| While the instruments appear to look the same, | | | | Washington, DC as it is to find one in Miami or Key |
| steelpans - as the drums are also called - are | | | | West. Resource websites for wedding and event |
| constructed and tuned to bring out unique sounds. The | | | | planning in particular are good places to research |
| tones of various steelpans can resemble soprano, | | | | information on steelpan groups, and look out for band |
| bass, alto, tenor, and baritone pitches, and when played | | | | websites that provide music downloads to give you an |
| in harmony create a pleasing, joyful melody. | | | | idea of what to expect. |
| Steelpan bands can consist of anywhere from three | | | | Nothing gets a party going like the bouncy, energetic |
| or four "pannists," or musicians using stands to support | | | | rhythms of a steel band. Hire a group for your next |
| the drums, or many more using portable drums with | | | | function and create memories to keep you dancing. |