
The NIU STEEL BAND ENSEMBLE featured at the Festival is part of the 35 member NIU Steel Band directed by Liam Teague and Clifford Alexis. The first active steel band formed in an American university, it has performed throughout the United States and around the world. NIU is one of the few institutions in the world at which students may pursue music degrees (undergraduate and graduate) with the steelpan as the major instrument of choice. Over the years, the NIU Steel Band has broadened the repertoire and performance for the steelpan, including a performance for 18,000 soccer fans in Yankee Stadium; two successful tours of Taiwan in 1992 and 1998; concerts with symphony orchestras (including the St. Louis Symphony and the Chicago Sinfonietta); and performances at several Percussive Arts Society International Conventions (PASIC). In 2000 the NIU Steelband had placed 2nd in the World Steelband Festival in Trinidad, and in 2002 performed several concerts (including the opening) at the Seoul Drum Festival in South Korea. The band has three recordings, its most recent being Festival of Voices, a live concert featuring an eclectic blend of styles.
Video
Watch the NIU Steelband’a Spring 2010 performance:
*Please note: Video samples do not necessarily represent HPJF lineup.
Website: http://niusteelband.com/
