MIDLAND, Pa. — Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center will present the 10th Annual Steel Drum Festival as part of its continued mission of student-centered arts programming. The concert, which features student from five area schools and guest artist Phil Webster, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the Main Stage Theater.
Forged around the sounds of the steel drum, the festival celebrates music from international inspirations. Adopting music from American jazz and funk, Jamaican reggae, West African drumming, Trinidad calypso and Brazilian bossa nova and samba, the students’ music is a celebration of many cultures.
Under the direction of Lincoln Park resident artist and percussion teacher, Rick Parsons, The Steel Drum Festival is comprised of students from Carrick High School, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Midland Elementary and Middle School, and Urban Pathways Charter School.
“The sound of the steel drum has flourished in southwestern Pennsylvania for years,” said Parsons. “And the Steel Drum Festival provides a unique opportunity for students to participate with the art form’s area professionals in a performance clinic and concert.”
Also appearing will be guest artist and percussionist Phil Webster, a member of the River City Brass Band where he also performs as timpanist.
“I am interested in many types of music,” said Webster. “You can find me performing classical music one day, African drums on another, and steel drums on the weekend.”
When not performing, Webster said he is teaching percussion at North Hills High School, and is the percussion coach for the River City Brass Band. Webster is also the artistic director and creator of the award-winning children’s performance program Harmony Street, which combines storytelling, world drum music drumming, and multi-media projections.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available by calling 724-576-4644 (option 2 for the box office) or online at www.LincolnPark
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