Euphoria is the country’s newest pan-round-neck steel band, and the only band of its type outside London. In our first year we have performed to great acclaim at local carnivals and parades such as the Brighton Childrens’ Parade, Pride, the Playgroup Festival and Kemptown Carnival. The band’s friendly atmosphere welcomes new members; no experience is necessary and you are invited to drop in on a Monday evening to have a free taster session and decide whether you would like to join us.
BepartoftheCarnival
With the support of Brighton Carnival Association the band meets on a weekly basis on Monday nights at the Same Sky Annexe, Belmont Street, Brighton, from 7pm for newcomers and improvers, where we are later joined by all the band members for a full rehearsal, which lasts until 9.30. All instruments are provided and players are expected to learn both hand-held percussion and the pans themselves. We play music covering a mixture of styles, from old-school calypsos, reggae and ska to standards and modern dance anthems; Euphoria aims to live up to its name by performing great party music! The cost of a ten session series is in the region of £30. Sessions are led by Rachel Hayward, a British pan player who has nearly 30 years experience of playing, teaching, arranging and running steel bands in Sussex, Surrey, London and Trinidad.
We already have several performances lined up for 2012 and will start the next series of workshops on 16th January 2012.
Moreabout “PanRoundNeck”
Most modern steel bands use multiple sets of pans which give the instruments a great range of notes, however this means that the pans have to be set up on racks or stands, and at carnivals are usually transported on lorries or floats distancing the players form their audience. At Euphoria we are passionate about “feet on streets” and use single pans which are carried on straps when we perform in carnivals with the heavier pans being pushed along on wheeled trollies. This means that the players can interact with onlookers and audience, giving a greater experience for everyone. All rehearsals and some performances are held on stands.
http://www.steelpan-steeldrums-information.com/pan-round-the.html
http://itzcaribbean.biz/panroundneck_ukcarnivals.php
More about Rachel
