Bring Steel Pan to Your Space: Fundraising Performances for Town Centres & Shopping Centres
Thank you to everyone who supported our Spring Performance Collection 2025. Over three days during the Easter break, our Steel Pan Trust trio performed at St Albans Museum + Gallery and outside Iceland on Rickmansworth High Street, raising £840 to support our charitable work and inspire communities through the power of steel pan. One of the highlights was a vibrant performance of Cheerleader by OMI, which caught the attention of passersby and brought joyful energy to the streets. Watch the video on YouTube
Our street performances take place during the Easter half term and the Christmas season starting in November, transforming public spaces with live steel pan music. These fundraisers support our ongoing programmes and showcase the joy that live music brings to communities of all ages.
Over the years, we’ve performed in town centres across the UK, including Hammersmith, Oxford Street, and Greenford in London, as well as Chichester, Oxford, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Winchester, Bournemouth, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Coventry, Cambridge, Milton Keynes, and Hillingdon.
We currently have an ongoing partnership with Feltham Centre and Southside Shopping Centre for seasonal fundraising performances. We welcome similar collaborations with other shopping centres, town centres, and retail locations who are interested in hosting live music events with purpose. If you’d like to invite us to perform at your location during our next Christmas or Easter fundraising season, we’d love to hear from you.
School-O-Rama
Igniting Unity and Joy through Steel Pan
School-O-Rama Festival 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Steel Pan Excellence
Harmony in Diversity: A Festival of Music
Every summer, a harmonious crescendo reverberates across the country as dedicated school bands gather from far and wide. These bands don't just perform; they inspire, connect and learn. The occasion? School-O-Rama—a festival that's more than just music; it's a celebration of roots, culture and community.
A Melodic Tapestry
Since its inception in 2014 as "Classorama," this festival has evolved into School-O-Rama—a vibrant tapestry woven with performances, workshops and a spirit of togetherness. Over the years, more than 30 schools have graced its stage, with over 500 pupils uniting annually during the school summer term.
Preserving Heritage, Fostering Unity
School-O-Rama isn't merely an event; it's a bridge to our roots, a portal to our culture. It's where connections are forged, where origins are celebrated and where the ties that bind us together are strengthened. This festival isn't just about melodies; it's about socialisation, entertainment and weaving social networks that enrich the pan community.
Music as a Beacon of Joy
In a world that often feels monotonous, School-O-Rama stands as a beacon of joy. Its liveliness and energy inject positivity into our lives, a much-needed balm for the soul. On the day of School-O-Rama, the atmosphere transforms—positivity reigns supreme and the air is filled with the sweet notes of music.
A Symphony of Unity
At School-O-Rama, diversity dances with unity. The event embodies community cohesion, building social capital that extends far beyond its notes. It's an affirmation that music has the power to not only entertain but also to unite hearts, enrich lives and create a shared tapestry of memories.
Celebrating Life's Vibrancy
In a world that yearns for vibrancy, School-O-Rama emerges as an oasis of enthusiasm and jubilation. It's a reminder that music can be more than just a melody—it can be a lifeline, a source of connection and an embodiment of positivity.
Celebrating Excellence in Pan Music Education
School-O-Rama Champions
Secondary School
Kingsdale Foundation School
Mr. Kishan Shorter, both a former pupil and current pan tutor at Kingsdale Foundation School, has contributed to their remarkable success. With 7 out of 8 wins at School-O-Rama and 4 victories under Kishan's guidance, the school's achievements shine. Steel Pan Trust takes great pride in his role, fostering excellence at Kingsdale Foundation School and sustaining their championship reign since 2018. Their achievements extended to winning a £2,000 prize from UKON Careers at the Barking Carnival, enhancing their school with new steel pans. This collaboration exemplifies the impact of music education in nurturing talents and fostering success.
Primary School
Harris Academy Coleraine Park
At Harris Academy Coleraine Park, their consistent presence at School-O-Rama since 2014 showcases their dedication. Led by pan tutor Mr. Dan Sadler, their performances bring forth a delightful clean sound. Dan's expertise is further highlighted by his 5 victories at School-O-Rama, with another tutored school, Harris Academy Philip Lane, securing a notable 2nd place in 2022 - 2024. Their commitment yielded rewards, earning them £2,000 as winners of School-O-Rama 2024. This underscores the positive impact of music education and the vibrant community that School-O-Rama cultivates.
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Pan Clash
Elevate the Soloist
Celebrating Steel Pan Excellence
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Pan Clash 2024! This annual celebration of steel pan culture continues to honour the incredible talent of young soloists and the vibrant steel pan community. Pan Clash brings together rising stars in steel pan music to compete, collaborate and inspire audiences with their skill and passion.
A Platform for Rising Stars
Since its founding in 2007, Pan Clash has provided a platform for young steel pan soloists to showcase their talent and gain recognition. This prestigious event, held each October/November, remains central to our mission of promoting steel pan culture and empowering the next generation of musicians. This year’s competition featured two categories: the Under 16s and the 16-24 age group, highlighting the versatility and depth of talent among young musicians.
2024 Highlights and Performances
Pan Clash 2024 saw standout performances, with Lushan Dennis retaining his Under 16s champion title in a striking performance of DNA by Mical Teja, and Jostin Makindu emerging as the 16-24 champion with Pan in A Minor by Lord Kitchener. Both young soloists showcased exceptional skill, with Lushan performing the challenging feat of using four sticks on double tenor and Jostin demonstrating remarkable growth and musical maturity.
Newcomers from Glissando Steel Orchestra added fresh energy to the Under 16s category, particularly Albi Knell, whose dynamic performance left a lasting impression on the audience. The 16-24 category captivated with unique improvisation rounds, and songs like Buttercup by Carl Anderson and The Toco Band by Lord Kitchener brought diversity to the competition.
Upcoming Pan Clash 2025
Join us in 2025 for the next edition of Pan Clash, where we’ll continue to celebrate young soloists and the steel pan art form. We look forward to welcoming you to this annual event as we continue to promote excellence in steel pan music.
Stay Connected and Relive the Experience
Catch up on all performances from Pan Clash 2024 on our YouTube channel. Coming soon is interviews, audience insights and a highlights video capturing the event’s most memorable moments. Thank you for supporting Steel Pan Trust and Pan Clash—your involvement helps us preserve and share the rich cultural heritage of steel pan music with future generations.
For further updates on Pan Clash 2025, School-O-Rama, and other events, follow Steel Pan Trust on social media.
All inclusive steel pan workshops
Harmonise with Us
Join the Steel Pan Trust as we harness the unifying power of music. Our all-inclusive steel pan workshops, scheduled in Ealing, Acton, offer a rich tapestry of experiences for people from all walks of life. Open to everyone aged 5 and above, these workshops are perfect for families, individuals or friends eager to embark on a musical adventure.
You are welcome to come to any session, whether it's just once or multiple times. We encourage you to join us and experience the joy and creativity that comes from playing the steel pan.
A Family of Sound: F.A.M.I.L.Y.
Our workshops are more than just music sessions—they are a celebration of community values. We define FAMILY as Friendly, Accessible, Multicultural, Inclusive, Local and Young at Heart. It's a space where all are welcome, regardless of age, background or musical expertise.
Acton Workshop 6pm - 7.30pm (Sign up on Eventbrite here):
Location: Acton Gardens Community Centre, Unit A, Munster Court, Bollo Bridge Rd, London W3 8UU
Dates:
- Fridays in January: 17th, 24th, 31st
- Fridays in February: 7th, 21st, 28th
- Friday in March: 7th
What to Expect
Each workshop is a symphony of experiences. You'll be treated to a mesmerising steelband performance that resonates with energy and rhythm. And then, the spotlight turns to you. Through our interactive workshops, you'll have the opportunity to play your own steel pan. You'll learn a piece of music during each session, immersing yourself in the art and beauty of the steel pan.
An Instrument for All
The steel pan is a unique instrument that offers a gentle learning curve. With its accessible basics, it doesn't require any prior musical experience. In fact, it's entirely possible for a group with varying musical backgrounds to create a simple melody together in a short span of time. Whether you're a seasoned musician or someone exploring music for the first time, the steel pan welcomes all.
Everyone's Invited
Age knows no bounds in the world of music. We extend our warmest welcome to people of all ages and abilities. While we recommend children from the age of 5 and above, we believe that music's beauty lies in its universality—it knows no age limit.
Join us in discovering the harmonious magic of the steel pan. Let's create melodies, build connections and craft memories that will resonate for a lifetime.
