The St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra came together in July 1999 and after three (3) months of practicing began performing at various venues. This group emerged from the program "Pan in The Community", and is now the main focus of the organization, "Pan in the Community,Inc." a 501 (C) (3) non profit organization. This program uses the medium of the steeldrums to re-direct the young people of our community into positive, social and behavioral ideals.
The majority of our members are presently in middle and high school. Our present performing group is musically inclined as the majority of them can play other musical instruments. New members are recruited through our “Learn to play steel drums program”, which takes place at our pan yard, 3220 B The Alameda (next to City High School) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesdays. Special "Pan Class" programs take place during the summer and other specified times. Members' grades in school are expected to be high. Their behavior, discipline, dedication, and love for what they do, and their oneness as a team or unit, can be seen in their performances and in their professional approach.
All types of music are played, comprising Gospel, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Soca, Classical and a wide Christmas selection. To date we have produced five (5) CDs and two (2) DVDs. The CDs are, “Breaking out in Steel”, “In the Mood”, “Concert in Steel”, “St. Veronicas Live”and "Cream of the Crop". The first DVD shows our performance in concert and also carries the title "St. Veronicas Live" showcasing the former group of players. The next DVD " Rejuvenation 2009" shows the present members in concert. Our music is presently arranged by Wentworth Richardson.
The band has performed throughout the Baltimore-Washington DC Metropolitan region. Other states where performances have taken place are: Virginia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Miami, Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. They have visited Trinidad and Tobago five times to date performing with Skiffle Bunch, Trinidad All Stars, Pamberi, and Southern Marines Steel band. They performed in concert with Southern Marines in Marabella, Trinidad. A newspaper review on the concert in the Trinidad Express newspaper, written by Keino Swamber read, “ US steel band impresses”. They also visited and were interviewed on Trinidad and Tobago Television, Radio 98.9FM, and the Trinidad Express newspaper.
In February 2008, the band performed in the White House for President George Bush and the First Lady Laura Bush. This performance was for the "Helping America's Youth Event". It took place in the Gold Room of the East Wing of the White House. This was a very great opportunity for the group who was selected for this occassion because of their professionalism.
St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra has performed at various conventions and activities such as the: NAACP, Kuntu Kinte Festival, Walk America, People’s Expo, Stone Soul Picnic, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Parade, Library of Congress, World Bank in Washington, D .C., Associated Black Charities, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, African Heritage Festival, Beans & Bread Christmas Fund Raising Concert, First Night Dover in Delaware, New Year’s Eve, First Night in Williamsburg, New Year's Eve, the Diabetes Association, Baltimore City Community College, the Cancer Society, Baltimore Office of Promotions, Catholic Charities, International Festival, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and continue to perform at the Amphitheater, Baltimore Inner Harbor for the past five years from April to September. The band has also participated in the Panorama Music Fest of the Virginia Arts Festival held in Virginia Beach over the years, the PanMasters Steel Band Festival, the Washington Carnival Pan Jam and the Harbor View Festival. We continue to provide sweet music to churches, proms, weddings, cook outs, birthday parties, and formal occassions when hired.
The major goals for the group is to obtain transportation to transport its members( van), and to introduce and prepare new members.
Friends and well wishers are welcome to make donations so that these activities could continue to materialize.
Current Band Members |
|
| Ayanna | Tenor |
| Jordan | Tenor |
| Jaisyn | Tenor |
| Alex | Tenor |
| Christian | Tenor |
| Elan | DoubleTenor |
| Jamila | DoubleTenor |
| Kristal | Double Tenor |
| Danyae | Double Second |
| Ayahna | Double Second |
| Gregory | Low Bass, Percussion |
| John | Low Bass, Triple Cello,Percussion |
| Pier | Low Bass |
| Jumiel | Low Bass |
| Marcus | Four Cello |
| Donnell | Tenor Bass |
A special THANK YOU to the alumni who have made STVYSO the outstanding band they are.
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