The beat goes on for steel drums at Sunrise Elementary School, where the unique sound has resonated for 25 years.
Gary Gibson is determined to keep a good thing going.
When the Kent school contemplated mothballing the after-school program a few years ago, Gibson decided to step up and step into the specialized role as director for the Mustangs' steel drum band.
A critically acclaimed and internationally known percussionist, Gibson makes the long commute from Edmonds twice a week to teach 38 Sunrise sixth-graders how to play the naturally amplified instrument.
Gibson and a supportive PTA have worked with school leaders to rekindle a sophisticated sound and revive a school tradition. Sunrise is one of the few elementary schools around that owns – 18 in all – and frequently plays different sets of steels drums.
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