The Garrett County Republican
Oakland, Maryland, USA - Steel drums have been a part of the curriculum at Crellin Elementary School for several years now, and the program has recently expanded.
“In 2018, with guidance from Kevin Martin of Rockcreek Steel Drums (based in Arnold), students learned the mathematics and science of designing and building steel drums,” Principal Dana McCauley explained. “The Crellin community came together with Martin as students, parents and community members set up a steel pan ‘factory’ and built 20 steel pan instruments that were then incorporated into the music program.”
Since that time, the Crellin-built instruments have been incorporated into music classes, as well as a steel pan band.
....“Since 2018, Martin has become a regular teaching artist at Crellin Elementary, and has worked hand-in-hand with music teacher Heather Roth to create a steel pan program called the Pantastix,” McCauley said.
....Martin said he’s been building steel pans for 30 years. He’s been teaching adults for 20 years and started teaching kids about 12 years ago. He came to Crellin for the first time almost five years ago for an assembly.
....“We do these assembly tours and I work in every county in Maryland over the course of the year,” he said.
....“I’ve worked in almost 400 schools now, and Crellin is the best school I’ve ever worked in,” Martin said.
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