The beat goes on for steel drums at Sunrise Elementary School, where the unique sound has resonated for 25 years.
Gary Gibson is determined to keep a good thing going.
When the Kent school contemplated mothballing the after-school program a few years ago, Gibson decided to step up and step into the specialized role as director for the Mustangs’ steel drum band.
A critically acclaimed and internationally known percussionist, Gibson makes the long commute from Edmonds twice a week to teach 38 Sunrise sixth-graders how to play the naturally amplified instrument.
Gibson and a supportive PTA have worked with school leaders to rekindle a sophisticated sound and revive a school tradition. Sunrise is one of the few elementary schools around that owns – 18 in all – and frequently plays different sets of steels drums.
“I didn’t want to see this thing go under,” said Gibson, now his third year with the program. “It makes for a great after-school program.”
Sunrise had one of the largest elementary school steel drum programs in the country, the product of its hard-working founder and director, Michael Bento, a friend of Gibson. When Bento left teaching for health reasons several years ago, the program was without a director, and the school struggled to fill it.
Enter Gibson.
The program, as Gibson explained, is practical, affordable and different. Students receive instruction and play several concerts throughout a semester for a $50 fee, which pays Gibson’s contract. There are no equipment rental fees.
And kids pick it up right away. Steel pans and drums are not as technically intimidating to learn, Gibson said. They have more of a gentle learning curve for the beginning player. As students grasp the basics, they tend to sound good and are encouraged to stick with it, allowing Gibson the ability to teach sophisticated rhythms and parts of harmonies that offer different ranges and pitches.
“They not only learn about music, they learn team work, discipline, the value of time,” Gibson said. “They are rewarded for their hard work. When they play in front of their schoolmates, they feel like the basketball team that just won the championship.”
Emma Koenigs enjoys the challenge of learning the special drums.
“I thought it would be a really fun thing to do it,” she said before practice last week. “At times it can be a little difficult to play, but other times it’s pretty easy. I like being able to play an instrument that a lot of other schools don’t get a chance to play.”
Sarah Hanson played the steel drums at Sunrise four years ago, and misses the opportunity to perform.
“It was awesome, it was so much fun,” said Hanson, a sophomore at Kentwood High School. “The high-pitched drums make for a real cool sound.”
For Gibson, the bigger picture is to promote the arts.
He not only teaches the drums to students and adults in Edmonds, he has established a nonprofit organization – Steel Magic Northwest – devoted to promoting the participation and performance quality of the instrument in the Seattle area.
“I’m trying to raise the bar and yes, I am fascinated by the instrument. I’m passionate about it,” said Gibson, who made his first drum out of an old saucer sled when he was 10. “I’m eager to show the Seattle area what they’ve been missing.”
Part of Gibson’s vision is to establish and grow steel drum programs in schools and communities. Kent offers some promise.
“I have seen how successful the programs can be in other cities, where this is taken more seriously and the value of it as an after-school program is much more realized,” said Gibson, who has travelled extensively as a clinician and concert artist throughout the country. “I just want to make a difference where I live.”
To learn more about the Gibson’s nonprofit organization, visit www.steelmagicnorthwest.org.
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PHOTO BELOW: Gary Gibson directs the Sunrise Elementary’s School steel drum band in practice. Gibson instructs 38 sixth-graders on how to use a variety of pitched drums and pans. Mark Klaas, Kent Reporter
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