10 Feb 2009: At our party...

When I first started massaging at Camps Bay, I one day heard a melodic sound I will never forget. Steel drums melodies wafted through the air. This was the first time heard David Wickham's troupe from Camps Bay School...yes, school, playing. And every season since then I have looked forward to them coming back.

The Steelband Project was set up in 1997 by Liz Brouckaert and David Wickham. David is
former English teacher and university lecturer as well as a professional freelance musician specializing in African, Caribbean and Brazilian Music.

The core focus of the project is to provide quality music education to the youth in under-resourced communities throughout the Western Cape and amongst 'youth-at-risk'. The project helps develop the discipline and listening skills required for playing in a band, and the personal enjoyment and confidence of performing in public. The Project is active in many suburban and township schools as well as at Boystown, with street youth and with the learning disabled. There are currently 27 steelbands (including 1 adult band) playing. (Cape Town has so many surprises, don't you think)

The musical instruments, originally from Trinidad in the Caribbean are recycled from 44 gallon oil drums, the steelpan is an ideal vehicle for music instruction. Anyone can learn to play the pans, and they can be used in any musical idiom, from classical and jazz to kwaitog taught by the Project.

They'll be at our party. another gem to make the night special*

http://www.lias.co.za/Steelband/index.htm