Volcano, the latest addition to The Sage Gateshead’s Regional Youth Ensembles family, it is a steel band led by renowned pannist, Wendy Brown.  Members are also given the opportunity to access international level tuition from guest tutors such as the experienced soloist, arranger and composer, Brent Holder, within the first-rate rehearsal environment of The Sage Gateshead.  The group enjoys a high-energy rehearsal and performance schedule which requires them to commit numerous arrangements and new compositions to memory.  

Volcano has performed at The Sage Gateshead’s annual Gateshead International Jazz Festival, at Steel Spring and also collaborated on an exciting piece with Jambone, The Sage Gateshead’s regional youth jazz big band.

With hopes to create performance opportunities alongside other Northern steel bands, Volcano’s first joint appearance was with the wonderful Sunshine Panners from Hayden Bridge.  2007/08 promises to be very exciting for Volcano with plans, amongst others, for residential workshops and a Hall One performance at The Sage Gateshead alongside some spectacular pannists.

Practising as a member of Volcano undoubtedly improves both musical and performance skills as well as being a lot of fun.  It is a wonderful opportunity for members to meet and work alongside pannists from bands across the region and to stretch themselves.  In these ways we hope that the existence of Volcano will ultimately benefit the grass roots steel bands that members are loyal to.

Volcano is just one of The Sage Gateshead’s six Regional Youth Ensembles, offering superb learning and performance opportunities for young instrumentalists and vocalists in a wide range of musical styles: Folkestra (folk band), Jambone (jazz big-band), Katabatic Winds (wind orchestra), Quay Voices (chamber choir) and Young Sinfonia (classical orchestra). Visit the Sage Gateshead website to learn more about the organisation and their activities.  www.thesagegateshead.org

Credits: photo by Mark Savage