Marathon band director expanding steel drum corps | Middle Keys

[Pan Times]

Key West Citizen

A Marathon student practices on the steel drums

Florida, USA - The Florida Keys have rich, feel-good, island-inspired musical roots, from Coffee Butler and Howard Livingston to Key West’s adopted son, Jimmy Buffett, who died Sept. 1 at the age of 76.

Marathon Middle/High School Director of Bands Chuck Brooker may well be a literal “one-man band” through his vision to keep that musical legacy alive and growing. And by doing so, while remaining true to the island origins that have shaped the sounds of the Keys, he’s building a strong student emphasis on steel drums.

....Brooker is organizing the new Marathon Community Steel Drum Band adult program, set to begin Tuesday, Sept. 19, in preparation for the fall 2023 season. The band in this community program is open to anyone older than age 18 and can accommodate 12 to 15 students. This program intentionally excludes high schoolers who are already enrolled in his school classes.

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