The tropical sound of steel pans emanates throughout the classroom. In the steel pan class, students learn how to play the steel pan, what it is and its history.

The relatively new instrument comes from Trinidad and Tobago, a nation consisting of two separate islands found in the Caribbean. In the 1830s, after Great Britain (the colony’s ruler at the time) prohibited slavery across its empire, the culture of Trinidad and Tobago began to thrive. During the late 1800s, Great Britain passed a law that tried to prevent drumming by outlawing drums. This led the people of Trinidad and Tobago to start playing on trash cans and other metal containers. After playing for a while, the people noticed that the different dents in the metal made different sounds. Many years of experimenting led to an increase in the number of notes.

Ellie Mannette, a Trinidadian musician, tuned the steel pan so that the highest notes would harmonize with the note that is played.

“[Mannette] was introduced to a tuner. He started tuning the overtones in addition to just the note,” stated Andrew Paul, Fauquier High School’s (FHS) band director. Mannete pioneered the modern steel pan, helping get the sound the instrument has today.

In the Steel Pan class, students learn to play the steel pans and perform in front of an audience. As stated by Paul, “[Students] simply learn to play the steel pans and how to be a performer… We talk about engaging the audience while you perform and what you do between songs, you don’t just stand there and look at each other.” The performances include a Fall and December concert.

In addition to the class’s performances, they also play during ceremonies at FHS. A group of students plays after school and performs at different events.

“We have an after-school group and they do a lot of performances from playing at Chick-fil-A on Spirit Nights to the First [Friday] Nights in Warrenton [during] the summer and end of the school year,” added Paul.

Students in the steel pans class can attend special events, such as festivals. “In May, we take everybody that can go to the Virginia International Pan Fest at Virginia Beach for a whole weekend of workshops and competition,” Paul stated.

Students learn many things in the steel pan class, while still having fun. What Paul really enjoys about teaching the class is seeing everyone have a good time.

“One, we get to just have a great time learning some really cool music. Two, seeing everybody respond to it,” stated Paul.

FHS’s Steel Pans class allows students to learn about the steel pan’s unique sound and history while having fun.