About Us
For many years, Pan Ivory has fostered a community of music aficionados, composers, and arrangers of steel band music who have been encouraging and supporting the teaching of music to students and community members. Emphasis over the years has been placed on teaching individuals the skill of playing the steel pan, creating melody and harmony and also teaching the rudiments of rhythm.
Professional arrangers, composers, and other project participants have been available to assist students, make suggestions, as well as possible changes and improvements. All this takes place in a controlled environment during rehearsals.
Rehearsals are scheduled twice a week and are usually two hours long, enough time for a student to spend learning a musical concept.
Students are taught to play a steel pan musical instrument and to play complete songs, that then become a part of the group's repertoire.
The resources for rehearsals have been provided by one of our partners and include steel pan instruments, necessary hardware, software and utilities, and a suitable venue for practice.
Early results have been seen with the students successfully performing live for the public in NYC's Madison Square Garden and elsewhere. The power of the live performance has become a driving force for the students. Our teachers also encourage live performances of original compositions.
Pan Ivory Cultural Association, Inc. (PICA) is a non-profit organization. If you are interested in membership, please visit our membership page.