NIU Steel
DeKalb, Illinois, USA - Under the vision and direction of Liam Teague and Clifford Alexis the steelpan, the music of the steelpan instrument and by extension “Pan,” the culture and experience, have grown, been disseminated widely across the world, and moreover, at a high level - from NIU (Northern Illinois University). Over the last few years When Steel Talks (WST) has watched closely the NIU steelpan music program grow not only in status but in much substance as the bands, ensembles, orchestra and students have, well, simply raised the bar.
Liam Teague and Clifford Alexis
Liam Teague and Clifford Alexis have developed a culture of excellence and professionalism. Moreover they have sustained it. And in this regard, this is the ultimate wish of any institution of higher learning - that is, when the culture of excellence morphs into tradition, and becomes enshrined in the expectations of students and the community, all while the world is watching, and is in turn justified by the accomplishments of the graduates.
There are many music programs at the university level all over the world that now involve or showcase the family of steelpan instruments. However, in reality, there are only a few that can in actuality accommodate the world’s best talent and consistently operate and churn out the world’s best well-rounded music products. In the steelpan arena only Florida Memorial University, under the guidance of Dr. Dawn Batson, has an unquestionable history of consistently producing a collective of world-class musical minds with valued skill sets.
This Friday during one of their 2013 concerts, three elements of the NIU steelpan music consortium performed -- the CSA (Community School of the Arts) Steelband, the Steelpan Studio and the All University Steelband. Each demonstrated NIU’s commitment to and moreover success at - attracting, accommodating, cultivating, inspiring and finally delivering/developing the finest steelpan musicianship from the community, performing arts, specialists, and individuals on all levels of talent and musical disciplines.
NIU has had no shortage of developing and graduating awesome talent that have gone on to accomplish great things in the music community. As one witnesses and listens to the active directorship, musical works and performances of Yuko Asada, Josanne Francis & Khan Cordice in addition to their leadership skills - you immediately realize you are observing a very special crew whose impact on the steelpan music world will be felt for years to come. NIU accentuated, and is directly involved in, their personal growth, leadership musically and organizationally and most importantly accountability...
All aspects of the things that make NIU’s program special and a cut above the rest were on display for the world to see. The developmental structure, and the ability of allowing students to realize their full potential, individually and as a collective, exist. The NIU steel band program creates real avenues and challenges for the full exploitation and growth of their talented pool of students who will inspire each other every moment, to smash the boundaries and rewrite the script.
A monumental part of the puzzle is that student performances, creations, and directorships are played out on a world platform as all NIU music performances are broadcast over the internet with a live HD quality stream. Every aspect of the NIU steel band program epitomizes professionalism.
Can we say - impressive? Indeed!
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