Steel Band Start Up & Consulting
Kimberly M. Roberts began her steel band journey at the University of South Carolina back in 1992 when she took "Steel Band" as an elective. It was rare for a college to have a steel band and completely unheard of for an elementary school to own steel drums. A lot has changed in the world of steel drumming. Most colleges and now many high schools have full-sized steel bands. In South Carolina alone, there are more than a dozen elementary schools with full-sized bands and even more with classroom-sized Jumbie Jams. Without a doubt, steel drums have moved from the realm of novelty to something that is slowly becoming just as commonplace as Orff in an elementary classroom.
Steel drums are becoming common-place, but this does not mean that knowing how to successfully teach students to play steel drums is common knowledge. In fact, a lot more goes into successfully teaching steel drums than most people realize. The saying, "You don't know what you don't know" definitely applies to starting a steel band. For 25 years, Mrs. Roberts has been a part of the "steel band movement," helping schools with grant writing, instrument acquisition, and serving as the artist-in-residence for the instructional part of start up- both in the U.S. and abroad, bringing the country of Hong their first student steel band. If you are starting a steel band program at your school, want to look into starting a band, or just need a “refresher course”, Kimberly M. Roberts is the person to contact. Her real-world steel band performance experience, educational background, deep understanding for steel band teaching methods, and rapport with children, make her an excellent resource that will elevate your existing program or start your new program off with the foundation it needs for success.
Mrs. Roberts works closely with many steel band companies and she serves as the education consultant for Panyard, Inc. Her consulting work on the Jumbie Jam and the methods taught in her Beginner's Guide to the Jumbie Jam led to this classroom-sized drum receiving the prestigious NAMM Award of “Best Tools for Schools” and "Best in Show." Kimberly M. Roberts has literally "written the book on it" and would love to help you integrate steel drums into your music classroom.
Don't know where to start?
Mrs. Roberts can walk you through the process from start to finish. She will present you with the pros and cons that should be considered when choosing the type of steel drum and type of program best for your school.
Do you want this to be used in the general music classroom?
Do you want to start up an afterschool program?
How often to you hope to perform off-campus?
How often do you plan to practice and how many students do you hope to have participate?
What grade levels do you want to incorporate?
Where will the drums be stored?
These are just a few examples of the many, many questions you will need to consider when choosing the type of band and type ofsteel drum that is best for your school.
My school already has drums. What now?
Mrs. Roberts can talk to you about the goals you have for your program and how you can best achieve them.
This might mean you will need a 1-3 day residency, a school assembly, long-term artist-in-residence, or just a free phone call or email for a few pointers. She is also available to compose a commissioned piece for your school's band, appear as a guest "conductor"/performer, audition your students for the band, or simply help "tweak" things to enhance what you are already doing.
I need more mallets, music, cases, stands, etc.?
Any product you find at www.panyard.com can be purchased at a discount from Mrs. Roberts' retail business, Steel Band 101. If you find a steel band product somewhere else, contact her and she will match or beat the price. In addition to passing savings on to you, Mrs. Roberts offers free "life time" support for any product she sells.
Steel drums are becoming common-place, but this does not mean that knowing how to successfully teach students to play steel drums is common knowledge. In fact, a lot more goes into successfully teaching steel drums than most people realize. The saying, "You don't know what you don't know" definitely applies to starting a steel band. For 25 years, Mrs. Roberts has been a part of the "steel band movement," helping schools with grant writing, instrument acquisition, and serving as the artist-in-residence for the instructional part of start up- both in the U.S. and abroad, bringing the country of Hong their first student steel band. If you are starting a steel band program at your school, want to look into starting a band, or just need a “refresher course”, Kimberly M. Roberts is the person to contact. Her real-world steel band performance experience, educational background, deep understanding for steel band teaching methods, and rapport with children, make her an excellent resource that will elevate your existing program or start your new program off with the foundation it needs for success.
Mrs. Roberts works closely with many steel band companies and she serves as the education consultant for Panyard, Inc. Her consulting work on the Jumbie Jam and the methods taught in her Beginner's Guide to the Jumbie Jam led to this classroom-sized drum receiving the prestigious NAMM Award of “Best Tools for Schools” and "Best in Show." Kimberly M. Roberts has literally "written the book on it" and would love to help you integrate steel drums into your music classroom.
Don't know where to start?
Mrs. Roberts can walk you through the process from start to finish. She will present you with the pros and cons that should be considered when choosing the type of steel drum and type of program best for your school.
Do you want this to be used in the general music classroom?
Do you want to start up an afterschool program?
How often to you hope to perform off-campus?
How often do you plan to practice and how many students do you hope to have participate?
What grade levels do you want to incorporate?
Where will the drums be stored?
These are just a few examples of the many, many questions you will need to consider when choosing the type of band and type ofsteel drum that is best for your school.
My school already has drums. What now?
Mrs. Roberts can talk to you about the goals you have for your program and how you can best achieve them.
This might mean you will need a 1-3 day residency, a school assembly, long-term artist-in-residence, or just a free phone call or email for a few pointers. She is also available to compose a commissioned piece for your school's band, appear as a guest "conductor"/performer, audition your students for the band, or simply help "tweak" things to enhance what you are already doing.
I need more mallets, music, cases, stands, etc.?
Any product you find at www.panyard.com can be purchased at a discount from Mrs. Roberts' retail business, Steel Band 101. If you find a steel band product somewhere else, contact her and she will match or beat the price. In addition to passing savings on to you, Mrs. Roberts offers free "life time" support for any product she sells.
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STEEL DRUMS come to HONG KONG !
June 2016, Mrs. Roberts traveled to Hong Kong to serve as the artist-in-residence for Kellett- the British International School in Hong Kong. She worked with both with the prep school at Kowloon Bay Campus and Pok Fu Lam Campus to integrate Jumbie Jams into their music curriculum, making Kellett the first school in Hong Kong to experience steel drums! She also worked with the upper school of Kowloon Bay to establish a full sized steel band. |