Calliope’s Children Steel Orchestra

compliments of Jimmy Leyden

Provided by and published with the expressed permission of Jimmy Leyden

Oregon, USA - James “Jimmy” Leyden formed and wrote charts for “Calliope′s Children,” one of the first High School steelbands in the US.  He introduced Ellie [Mannette] to the strobe tuner and worked extensively with him on harmonic and overtone concepts (in Chappaqua, New York in 1971). Leyden toured with  “Calliope′s Children” in Romania (1975) and Poland and Russia (1977). 

In 1985 he established, with Ellie Mannete, the Haystack Steel Drum Summer Workshop (Cannon Beach, Oregon). Leyden was an instructor at the Mannette Steel Drum Workshop (Morgantown, West Virginia) 1995-1998.  He founded Hillbridge Music in 1996 and inaugurated the Steel Band in School and Community at the Villanova (Univ) Summer Music Program, and, a similar program at the University of Delaware directed by Harvey Price.

Calliope's Children Orchestra
Calliope’s Children Orchestra

 
The Calliope’s Children Steel Orchestra performing  Chorale-Cantata # 130 by Johann Sebastian Bach; James “Jimmy” Leyden is arranger and conductor.  The group toured Russia and Poland in 1975 and 1977

Calliope's Children Orchestra
Calliope’s Children Orchestra

“Brazilian Suite” performed on Ellie Mannette′s pans by Calliope’s Children Steel Orchestra. The group toured Russia and Poland in 1975 and 1977

James “Jimmy” Leyden (lower left, in suit) Calliope’s Children Orchestra
Calliope's Children Farewell Concert 6/12/77
Brazilian Suite - On Ellie's Pans
Batucada, Berimbau, Santana
Manha de Carnival, Samba de Orfeo
(Final Performance before Poland/Russia tour!)

James “Jimmy” Leyden (lower left, in suit) Calliope’s Children Orchestra

Images provided by James Leyden

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