Steel Bands in US Secondary Classrooms: Process and Pedagogy

The steel band, an ensemble of steel pans rooted in the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago, has grown in the United States from nonexistent to substantial. Over 600 bands exist in the US in primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and community groups. Due to its intrinsic value as a unique, multicultural, and inclusive ensemble, the steel band is an effective tool for secondary music educators to provide a non-traditional ensemble for their students (i.e., an ensemble other than band, choir, or orchestra). To this point, research done in the areas of pedagogy and teaching methods for the steel band is limited. This thesis provides secondary music teachers with pedagogical and background knowledge in creating and teaching a steel band in their school or community. The research in this thesis includes a review of steel band literature, an examination of multicultural teaching frameworks, a survey of steel band educators, and interviews with two experienced directors.