Since 1993, scores of District of Columbia youth have participated in the East of the River Boys & Girls Steelband. Gladys Whitworth Bray, Ph.D.
A program that enhances their lives, build self confidence and resiliency as it fosters an appreciation for the arts. The Steel Band program works with youth, 11 to 18 years living east of DC's Anacostia River. In addition to training in steel pan music, the program offers tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, and exposes young people to education and cultural activities. The students learn s
teel pan music, an acoustic musical instrument invented in Trinidad during the 20th century. The steel band has benefited from the musical tutelage of the renowned Roger Greenidge, a Trinidadian composer and arranger. The strength of the musical training is evident in the prestigious performances afforded the band. The band has had countless performances in the Metropolitan Washington, among its premiere events were the opening ceremonies for the 1996 Olympic Soccer Games held in Washington, the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts, Children's International Arts Festival, Stone Soul Picnic and the BBQ Battle. The band's 2009 recording, "Pan in DC" follows "First Take", a 1995 cassette recording and 1999's CD "Rising". The steel band had been honored with a First Place Mayor's Arts Award for Emerging Artists; the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities Certificate of Excellence; and second place at the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night. The East of the River Boys & Girls Steelband is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organisation. It operates in the District of Columbia'a Ward Seven at the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Club #14. is the Executive Director and Master Pannist, Roger Greenidge is the Musical Director.
