Exploring the Steel Pan Family: Composition & Recording Workshop

See how the steel pan family can expand your music! Live demos and recording.

Join us on November 18th at LA Percussion Rentals & Recording for a special on the steel pan percussion family! Steel pan instruments are often pigeonholed to specific genres, but in reality they can enhance a vast array of compositions. They are incredibly effective for adding textures, moods and creating unique signature sounds. Pro steelpannists Ray McNamara, Einstein Brown and Abby Savell will be demonstrating a variety of pan textures LIVE by improvising over your compositions. LAPR is also a fully equipped recording studio, so we’ll be recording some of the new pan parts! Participants will receive the raw, recorded files after the event. Submissions are open to all Academy of Scoring Arts members, even those who are only able to attend the event via live stream. All members are welcome to attend in person, but space is limited! A submission is not required to attend.

In addition to live demonstrations, this event will also cover:

• The names, instrument ranges, standardization, and availability of instruments in the steel pan family
• How to approach writing for steel pan specialists vs. general percussionists
• Where to find steel pan specialists and what to look for
• Ways to write that help move them away from a more “typecast” sound
• Orchestration, considering texture and blending with other instruments
• Hands-on experimentation into extended techniques and sound design

This workshop format will enable live attendees to not only ask questions, but have the musicians give various ideas a spin on the spot and get their hands on the instruments.

This event will be held in person at LA Percussion Rentals & Recording in Santa Clarita on November 18th, 4-9pm. A ticket is required for attendance! Ticket price includes dinner. Space is limited - please book early.

Submit your files here to be considered!

Please submit:

1. Audio file – Full Mix .wav 48k/24bit
2. Audio files – Stems .wav 48k/24bit
3. Any musical guidelines / chord changes
4. Accompanying video (optional) 24-60fps

More submission details:

• Pan will be used in a textural sense, not melodic. Please consider this when submitting your music.
• Any instrumentation – see where steel pan can take your composition!
• All music genres will be considered
• No compositions over 90 seconds.
• Please make sure ALL of your filenames have either your name or identifying title
• We will be choosing 5-6 compositions. Not all submissions will be used.
• Submissions are also open to those who will attend via live stream
• Submission Deadline: November 7th