OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Steel Drum Orchestra and
Hi-Grade Band are slated to perform Caribbean and Christmas music in
the styles of soca, calypso, ska and reggae Wednesday (Dec. 3).
Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert in the Music Building’s Nutt Auditorium
are $5 per person and available by calling 662-915-7411 or by visiting
the UM Box Office in the Student Union, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Steel Drum Orchestra, featuring 29 steel drums and 15 players, has performed throughout the Mid-South. The ensemble formed in 1996 and comprises graduate students and undergraduates, as well as UM faculty members.
The new seven-member Hi-Grade features students who perform mostly reggae music, plus popular Jamaican music such as ska and dancehall. The band has headlined several times in Oxford and Taylor performing original songs, as well as songs by artists such as Bob Marley, Damian Marley, Jah Cure, Beyonce Knowles and Allison Hinds. More information on Hi-Grade is available at http://www.myspace.com/higrademusic08 or by contacting Kevin Hindman at 601-940-4948.
“1938 is generally considered the birth of the steel drum, but, it was during the 1960s when the steel drum came of age,” said Ricky Burkhead, UM associate professor of music and director of the bands. “Numerous steel pan festivals and competitions were introduced during this period and the steel drum bands even performed for Queen Elizabeth when she visited Trinidad. The popularity of the instrument grew in 1963, when steel bands started touring in both the U.S. and U.K.”
For more information visit music education at UM.