The Steel Band

Dr. Dawn K. Batson, Director

The Florida Memorial University Steel Band program was started in the Fall of 1996 by Dr. Alfred Pinkson (former Music Coordinator) and Dr. Dawn K. Batson.  The program allows music students to use the various instruments of the steel orchestra as their major instrument.  The program supports a steel ensemble that has performed nationally and internationally and has appeared on television/radio in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Brazil.  The ensemble also holds the distinction of being the first steel ensemble outside of Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of the steelband, to win or tie for first place in the Ensemble class of the World Steel Band Festival held in Trinidad.  The ensemble also holds the distinction of having students place first in the solo, duet, trio and quartet categories of the World Steelband Festival.  Members of the band are responsible for the original compositions and musical arrangements of the band’s repertoire.