Concert raises spirits as well as money
by Kate Slaboch, Outpost staff
-
Jim Munzenrider, of Pan Ramajay, plays the triple pan (steel drums) at Nightingale Hall on March 29.
Photo by Kate Slaboch
- Pan Ramajay is a spirited group that provides music in the traditional style of steel drum bands from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. To help Sigma Alpha Iota promote Music in our Schools Month, which is March of every year, they gave an exciting concert on the University of Nevada, Reno campus on March 29, 2000.
The group, which consists of three main members - Tom Miller, Jim Munzenrider and Alan Lightner - tours the country adding percussionists and bass players from everywhere. Music is composed by members of the group using beguine, samba and calypso beats. One of the most exciting pieces was "Joe's Melody Boys," performed in the first set. Pan Ramajay does play music written by other people, such as their set closer "Pan Woman," by Ray Holman.
|
Pan Ramajay's Alan Lightner plays the double pan, which provides harmony. Photo by Kate Slaboch |
Having fun was Pan Ramajay's motto for the evening. Each member danced to the beats of the songs, and truly looked as if he was enjoying the performance and the atmosphere provided by the music. The band did groove as though they would fit in equally well outdoors in the sun, or in a formal setting such as Nightingale Hall.
During the concert, Tom Miller gave the audience a brief history of steel drum bands. The island of Trinidad has Panorama competitions featuring 100-player pan bands every year. Women did not begin playing steel drums until the early 1980's, he said.
|
Guest percussionist Michael Spiro gave the band a taste of the islands on his bongos. Photo by Kate Slaboch |
|
|
Posted April 14, 2000
Copyright 2000 Nevada Oupost
|
|
|
|