Steel Band Lunch Hour Concert

The Nelson Mandela University Steel Band is excited to present three different Steel Bands showcasing an authentic steelpan experience coupled with a variety taste of sound, genres and instrument media. We are honoured to welcome our mother steel band traveling from Makhanda, The Graeme College Steel Band directed by Sylvester Appollis.  The Graeme College Band was the first high school steel band in the country and it is such a privilege to have them participate in our concert.

We are subsequently thrilled to have Normoyle Primary School, from Missionvale, joining us with their newly established school Steel Band on stage directed by Mr Siya Xotyeni. The Normoyle Steel Band will be performing "Stuck on You" by Lionel Richie. An arrangement done by Sylvester Appollis in his university student years at the Rhodes university. This classic pop ballad has been given a new life with the unique sound of the steel band. Within this category, we are delighted to present two of the most prominent settings wherein which the steelpan instrument has developed over the years.

The program is filled with a diverse presentation of songs that will showcase the versatility of the steel band. Mostly jazz, latin-jazz, ballad, Rn’B and others. The NMU Steel Band has transitioned into the international stage of steel band repertoire by showcasing one of Andy Narell’s famous and authentically steelpan compositions titled "Izos Mood". Andy Narell is an American steelpan jazz musician and composer known for his compositions primarily intended for steelpan, upon multiple settings such as solo, jazz quartets and quintets, steel bands and panorama scale steel orchestras. "Izos Mood" is a catchy tune that blends jazz with Caribbean rhythms.

The NMU Steelpan Studio continues to experiment and explore the many possibilities of steelpan by also involving instruments such as piano, saxophone, trumpet, bass and electric guitar to its ensemble setting.