Aruba Soon To Have Its Own Steelpan Orchestra


January 20th 2010, Aruba.



SAN NICOLAS-Steelpan music has its origin in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago, but
Aruba and much of the Caribbean has adopted this music style and made it their own. Steelpan
music has become a sound in the world now typically related to the Caribbean region.

Steelpan music was first introduced in Aruba together with Carnival by British Caribbean
immigrants who migrated to the island to work at the refinery in San Nicolas in the early 1950's.
Many steelpan bands were erected back then, and they participated in Carnival events on the
island.

Steelpan music in Aruba was rapidly replaced by other modern instruments in the beginning of the
1980's. Since the early 1990's there are practically no steelpan bands in Aruba's carnival events,
and they rarely play at the island's hotels today.

Former ex members of the legendary Aruba Steelpan Orchestra have decided to promote steelpan
music more in Aruba, especially among the island's youth. The Edgar Connor National Youth
Steelpan Academy was officially opened on January 18th at the Theresita Center in the city of San
Nicolas.

Frank Zaandaam has announced during the ceremony that he will publish a book named "Voices of
Steel". The book will illustrate the life of the legendary local steelpan musician Edgar Connor and
the history of steelpan music in Aruba. The book is expected to be in bookstores in June 2010.

Those interested in participating at the steelpan orchestra can subscribe at the website of the
Caribbean University of Aruba (www.caribbeanuniversity.net). Especially the youth on the island
are encouraged to subscripe and learn to play the steelpan. The subscription is free of charge.


One Of The Many Steelpan Orchestras in Trinidad & Tobago
Aruba is working on a steelpan orchestra at the level of Trinidad & Tobago













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