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The following was submitted by the Winchester Community Music School:
Greater Boston is known as something of a music mecca, but in one respect, it has always been lacking: steel drums.
There are precious few classes or bands for anyone who has fallen for the lilting sound of handcrafted steel “pans" and their rich Caribbean island heritage. But now Winchester Community Music School (WCMS) and its newest instructor, Debra Sarjeant Smith, are filling that void.
“We’re so fortunate to have Debra join our faculty,” says Laurie Russell, the school’s executive director. “Like most of our teachers, she is also an award-winning performing artist, and she will bring both expertise and enjoyment to our students who want to learn and play steel drums.”
No music experience is required for the new WCMS Steel Drum Ensemble, which is open to teenagers and adults and begins Wednesday, Feb. 5. It is being held in partnership with the Winchester Recreation Department and will meet in their classroom space at 263 Main St., Winchester.
“I’ve been looking for a group like this since I moved to this area three years ago,” says Jake Miller, who played with a 40-person steel band at Miami University. “I’ve already met several of the folks who will be in the ensemble, and everyone’s been having tons of fun just trying this out for the first time. We will have all levels of musical experience in the ensemble, and that’s one of the great things about steel drums: everyone can play a part that matches their current level, and that expands as they learn."
WCMS will host a free meet-up on Wednesday, Jan. 22, for adults and teenagers who’d like to meet the drums and give them a try. Sign-ups are open now, and registration for the ensemble is also open.
For more information, contact WCMS at wcms@winchestermusic.org or 781-721-2950.
