[NEohioPAL]Univ. of Akron's Steel Drum Band Spotlights Guest Soloist Ray Holman on April 24

[reynolds,victoria]

Dear NeoPal Subscriber:

A big-screen "pan cam" will put the audience in the middle of the
vibrant sights and sounds when The University of Akron Steel Drum Band
performs at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, April 24, at 8
p.m.
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Featuring classical to jazz to Caribbean music, the concert continues
the band's tradition of inviting Trinidadian musicians to perform
onstage. This year's guest soloist is composer, arranger and steel drum
performer Ray Holman.=20
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A graduate of the University of the West Indies, and a former high
school teacher, Holman began playing steel drums ("pan") in the 1950s
with the "Invaders" band, led by legendary tuner Ellie Mannette. Holman
is distinguished as the only arranger to participate in Trinidad and
Tobago's first national steel drum competition, held in 1963. Dubbed
"Panorama," the competition has become the world's foremost performance
venue for steel band music. And considering the complexity of Panorama
music, the arranger holds the most prestigious role in any steel band.=20
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The UA Steel Drum Band was one of the first collegiate steel bands in
the U.S. when it was established in 1980 by Professor Larry Snider of
The University of Akron School's of Music. The band has since grown in
size to comprise more than two dozen student musicians, and has become a
favorite at FIRST NIGHT Akron and other regional venues. During the past
four summers, UA Steel Drum Band has performed at Blossom Music Center,
opening for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops,
and the Cleveland Orchestra. Snider still leads the band, as well as the
Percussion Studies Program at UA's School of Music. Matt Dudack is
artistic director.
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Tickets for this concert are $16 for reserved seating, and can be
purchased by phone or in person from the E.J. Thomas Hall Ticket Office
(330.972.7570), at Ticketmaster Centers including Kaufmann's and select
Giant Eagle stores, and online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be
charged by phone at 330.945.9400 in Akron, 216.241.5555 in Cleveland, or
330.747.1212 in Youngstown.
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With kind regards,=20
Victoria Reynolds=20
Marketing and Media
University of Akron E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall,=20
Akron Civic Theatre and Lock 3 Live!=20
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330.972-2724
vr8 at uakron.edu=20
www.ejthomashall.com