CHS Steel

What an incredibly fun and challenging experience! This program is so well run with clarity, patience and incredible talent. The staff are so talented in designing and arranging the songs to bring out the best of the group. Their patience and skills in working with students at all levels helps us to build confidence and skill! - Louann

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I participated in the adult summer camp. Over just 4 days, and actually only 3 because we lost power one day, the CHS Steel leadership team taught us to play our songs so well that I felt like a rock star! They use methods that support music learners from any skill level. I can't wait for the next session! - Dan

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What the CHS Steel Drum team is doing for the community with this camp is amazing! All ages and skill levels were represented and the sense of accomplishment from the participants after a week of playing was evident. It’s a testament to the quality of this program that teachers and alumni continue to come back summer after summer to teach and play. - Alicia

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After playing in high school bands decades ago, it's been great to get music back into my life again, and such a fun instrument to play! - Eric

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Camp was a lot of fun for me. I wanted to prove to myself that I could learn something new, so I am thankful that I had the opportunity to do that. It's been about 10 years since I've played in a concert, and it made me remember how much I love playing music. I have a 2 year old son who has become very interested in music and all the different musical instruments, so I wanted him to be able to see me play. He and the rest of my family had a great time at the concert. And my son loved going up on the stage and playing the pans afterwards. He talks about it every day. I am looking forward to playing again! - Hilary

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Hats off to all of the staff and volunteers that have been involved with the adult steel pan camps that I have participated in. Their time, energy, and knowledge has been greatly appreciated. It is so rewarding to work as a team playing great music with others who also share a love of the steel pan. Being part of a team that has the challenge of learning music with people of all levels and then being able to perform what we have learned has been a great experience. I'm already looking forward to our next workshop! - Karen

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Wonderful experience! We missed a day due to a power outage but still managed to pull off a great show. The staff was awesome and I appreciated having the staff helpers. Everyone was so patient and encouraging! - Alayna

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My husband and were looking for an activity to do after our wedding last year. We have so much fun and steel gives us a musical opportunity we don’t normally share throughout our week. The staff are all fantastic teachers. We hope to continue playing this year. - Christy

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Learning to play the steel pan drums has been rewarding and enjoyable. The teaching style is easy to understand and engaging. The staff have made this a welcoming community where people want to return to play music and perform together throughout the year. - Lisa

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In my experience, participating in the Community Steel Drum Band is challenging, rewarding, and fun! It's obviously different for me, learning from my youngest son, but I've now participated in six seasonal bands, and I look forward to each new one. And I can't say enough about the alumni volunteers, without whose help I never could have done this. - Bill​

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Had a great time learning steel drum. Enjoyed band camp and would definitely attend next year. - Greg

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I thoroughly enjoyed the beginner's band camp last week. I have always wanted to play drums since over 40 years ago when I started middle school. I am not a musical person but love listening to orchestras, band and other types of live music. My husband and I have attended performances by the Catonsville High School Steel Pan Band and are always so impressed by the talent of these young people. We had heard of the opportunity to learn to play Steel Pan through the camps and a good friend of mine and I immediately emailed to express our desire to attend the camp. From day one, we got right to work. The staff technics to learn to play music quickly worked well. I also was impressed with the variety of age groups, male and female, I think more females, that were in our camp. The volunteer staff, Mr Hamilton's past students, were extremely helpful and encouraging, giving us personal attention in sharing tips. The rehearsals were just long enough so that we retained what we were taught, but not so long that we were looking at the clock.My friend and I also appreciated that the doors were opened a half hour early so that we could come early to practice which we did each day. When we were told day 1 that we would be playing two songs, I have to admit that I did not think that it was possible, I doubted even learning one song. I did not tell my husband what music selections we would be playing so at the performance he was completely blown away. And proud :-) He is from Trinidad and he posted a video of our performances in his family's chat group and commented "Look who's representing Trinidad?".I had 10 close friends come to the performance, two of them who are old time pan players from Trinidad, and one of them was speechless before, during and after the performance. I think his hands were raw from clapping so much. Half of my friends that came to hear me play asked when the next camp starts because they want to learn too. So the performance was very motivating.This experience has also made my friend and I even closer. We drove together each day to and from practice and on the way home we were so happy and excited to be learning. Each night after returning home, we would text each other about practice and other steel pan related stuff we googled. I don't think either one of us thought that in our 50's we would be learning something new and that something being the steel pan. I would definitely recommend attending this camp with one's mate, a friend or family member as quality time spent together. - Maile