Troop 1344 Found Their Rhythm
July 19, 2023
Music is one of the best ways to bring people together, and this summer, Troop 1344 got a firsthand lesson! Ten girls from the Bangor-based troop attended a steel pan drumming concert with PanStorm at the Bangor Public Library in July.
“My cousin’s husband runs the group and several other family members are in it as well. They generously offered their time to speak with our girls before and after the concert,” says Troop 1344 Leader Elyse Bronson.
Throughout the concert held on the library patio, the girls got a chance to learn not only the basics of the instruments, but the fascinating history as well.
“Several members from PanStorm spoke with our girls about ‘soca music’ and showed them how to play. They also taught the girls about how in Trinidad and Tobago, the steel pans were originally made by turning trash barrels into drums,” says Elyse.
Each of the girls got to try out the drums, practicing different notes and speeds of percussion and testing out their musical memory by trying to memorize snippets of songs.
“Their faces lit up! We love watching our girls gain confidence and pride in their achievements,” says Elyse.
No concert would be complete without a little dancing. The girls finished off the day practicing their new traditional ‘soca’ dance moves together to the high energy PanStorm beats!
