Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - On Wednesday 5th February 2025 at Antigua & Barbuda’s National Music Awards, Hells Gate Steel Orchestra picked up the Steelband of the Year Award for the period 2023 - 2024.
The band also performed at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church on
Sunday February 9th as part of its 80th Anniversary
celebrations. The group presented a mixture of Gospel and Classical pieces.
Hells Gate had been invited to perform at this church back in 1950 by Canon
Ivor Yearbury, becoming the first ever steelband to perform in a church in
Antigua.
Caribbean Union Bank Hells Gate Steel Orchestra, celebrating 80
years of continuous existence, performed at the St. Peter’s Anglican
Church in Parham Town
Hells Gate Steel Orchestra was founded in 1945 in the Point Area, on the island of Antigua. The band was given its name by the residents of the Point community because of the noise produced from the instruments used [discarded Auto Wheel Brake Drums, Clutch Housings, metal pipes and discarded biscuit cans].
The first Steelpan was brought to Antigua by a sailor on the “War Risk,” a boat that was owned by the Destin Brothers of The Point. Members of the band were so amazed of this new instrument that they set out in making their own steelpans. Their efforts were carried out at Townsend’s Blacksmith Shop, which was located on Mariner's Lane in the Point Area.
Members toiled and sacrificed a lot to ensure that the band survived, and fought hard to ensure that the Steelpan was accepted by society. Since inception, there are always persons ready to take up the mantle and carry on the work, which is why the band has been continuously operating since it was founded.
The honor of National Institution of The Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage (Gold) was bestowed upon the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra at the National Independence Ceremony on November 1st 2020 at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
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