Tropical Steel Orchestra

TROPICAL STEEL ORCHESTRA started as a steel-band in September 2005 after taking part in a workshop under the guidance of arranger and instructor Mr. Llewellyn Hunte.  Mr Hunte continues to arrange for the group and has added tuning of pans to his duties. The group comprises sixteen (16) members and is gradually expanding.  In the meantime we are busy making our contribution through the playing of beautiful music.

The group has been performing at several crop-over events, beginning from 2006. These events include The Cavalcades, Back In Time Pan and Pan In De City. We received two (2) Bronze Medals in 2006 for our performance at NIFCA and in 2007 we also received Silver and Bronze medals.  Our performance at NIFCA earned us a place at the Gala in 2007.

We have performed at many social events, including weddings, churches and award ceremonies and continue to do so on request.  Our musical repertoire consists of calypso, jazz, reggae, swing, gospel and ballads.

The band has achieved much in its short life and must give credit to the arranger Mr Lewellyn Hunte, who may be referred to as Barbados’ Clive Bradley.  Mr Hunte, through his prior affiliation with other bands, has won several gold medals and The Governor General Award at NIFCA.  He has also participated in and won steelpan competitions when they were a feature at crop-over in Barbados.  Mr Hunte is also well known as an arranger in his native Trinidad.

Mr Hunte is very selective about the type of music which he chooses to arrange.  Though he readily admits that he has no formal musical training, he has been described as a highly skilled, talented and disciplined arranger who is totally dedicated to his craft.  His emphasis is not on having a sixty (60) member band, rather he believes that creative music matters more than size.  Indeed he has the ability to create sweet music, even with a seven (7) member band.  Mr Hunte envisages the return of steelpan competitions to Barbados but for the time being he is happy to make his contribution to the artform in any other way.  Tropical Steel is lucky to have him.

Marcia Greaves

President

Tropical Steel Orchestra

Contact 253-7173

Images compliments Tropical Steel

• Steel Pan

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