cbs8.com
San Diego, California, USA - The Island Steel Drum Band comprised of students from Southwest Middle School and Southwest High School in South Bay San Diego will perform together for the last time Monday [May 24]. After 22 years, the steel drum band program is being cut, according to band director Keith Ballard.
Ballard said in a press release that neither he nor students or parents were spoken to about the decision to cut the program for the upcoming school year.
“Mr. Ballard only found out when a tiny spreadsheet was emailed to him last week with his classes for the 2021-22 school year, and the steel drum band class did not appear,” the press release read in part. “The music class was deemed expendable.”
Replies
Well Claude, the last pan performance I heard of was Andy Narell a long time ago. How can we get the northern California local pan musicians to collaborate and start promoting the instrument via concerts?
Leh me tell allyuh something allyuh will NOT ACCEPT or want to BELIEVE. But as THE MEXICANS take over MORE AND MORE OF CALIFORNIA -- there will be LESS AND LESS PAN IN CALIFORNIA. And CALIFORNIA was one of THE LEADING STATES in PAN MUSIC FOR DECADES.
Put that in your Sensimilla pipe and SMOKE IT!!!
San Diego steelband community needs to organize this class as an outside school activity. There are lots of positives in keeping the young minds active in accomplishing success while they step up the ladder.
Brenda H.
Wow. This is some foul stuff going on here.
bugs
Paying attention.
What is the current status of the music schools in the community program Aquil? Charity begins at home, and I note that you are paying attention sir.