BY SETH MENSING | University Communications Manager
Nothing warms the spirit on a cold winter night like the sound of the Western Colorado University Steel Band, bringing the sounds of the Caribbean to Colorado and proving that music truly knows no bounds.
Western’s Steel Band got its start in the early 2000s when percussion professor Greg Haynes brought his passion for the steel pan to campus. A well-known performer and educator, Haynes laid the groundwork for what has become a campus favorite at Western.
In 2021, the band, now led by Music Department Chair Dr. Ben Justis, performed Terry Riley’s minimalist masterpiece In C, complete with trapeze artists, at an interdisciplinary arts gala. “To my knowledge it’s the first time a steel band has played this nearly hour-long piece,” Dr. Justis said.
Most recently, the band, was invited to play at the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) Conference at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs in January.
“Being invited to perform at CMEA is an honor,” Dr. Justis said. “It’s our chance to show educators and students from across the state what Western is all about.”
Community, Commitment, and Culture
Western’s Steel Band is more than just a quirky musical group—it’s a community of students studying a variety of subjects who come together to practice, united by a shared love of steelpan music.
Unlike traditional percussion instruments, steelpans, or steel drums, are played on hammered oil drums. According to Dr. Justis, because of the geometry of the pans and how they need to be tuned, the notes are arranged in a “circle of fifths” pattern that makes learning the instrument different from any other percussion instrument.
“Rehearsals are the highlight of my week. The students are hilarious and inspiring, and they bring such dedication to their music,” Dr. Justis said. “It’s been an incredible journey working with these students and watching the band grow.”
With a growing roster of 11 students, Western’s Steel Band always strikes a chord with the audience. Whether they’re performing on campus or at statewide events, they bring a little slice of the Caribbean to the Rockies.
Music Department
