Binghamton Steel Drums Band at the Afton Fair

The Binghamton High School Percussion Program is under the direction of BHS Director of Bands, Joel Smales. The Steel Band and Percussion Ensemble are a strong force in the musical life of the Rod Serling School at Binghamton High School and throughout the Southern Tier and beyond. Performing traditional percussion ensemble, marimba band and steel drum music, the ensemble has consistently received rave reviews and top honors at festivals and events.

The Binghamton Steel Drum Band will perform July 11th 2008 at the Afton Fair!

The Steel Drum Band was founded and formed in 1999 and, along with the Percussion Ensemble, have performed for the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Nashville, Bands of America National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, Music Educators National Conference in Minneapolis, NYS Fair, the NYS School Boards Association Annual Convention, NYSSMA Winter Conference, NYS PAS Days of Percussion, NYS Youth Bureau's Conference, NYC's Washington Square Park, World Physics Conference, First Night Virginia, Binghamton University, Hartwick College, Cornell University, Harford Fair, area school assemblies, First Night International, on television and more.

The Ensemble has performed with Andy Narell, Liam Teague, Steve Smith, Billy Ward, Gordon Stout, Tony Verderosa, Ithaca College Steel Band, for NYS Days of Percussion and with the Binghamton Community Orchestra. The BHS Percussion Program has hosted clinics and concerts featuring such percussion luminaries as Bob Becker, Robin Engelman, Leigh Howard Stevens, Tommy Igoe, Sherrie Maricle, Marko Marcinko and Gordon Stout. Students in grades 9-12 may participate in the ensemble. A Steel Band CD entitled JUICE BLENDERS featuring all original music written by members of the steel band and Joel Smales was released in 2003 and their second CD, BAGGAGE CLAIM was released in December of 2005.

The Binghamton Steel Drums Band will perform on Friday, July 11th, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Entertainment Tent.

Check them out on the web at www.BHSsteelband.org.

© 2007 - 2008 Afton Driving Park and Agricultural Association Inc.,
Design by Regina Birdsall, Last Updated Saturday, 03-May-2008 08:33:33 CDT