The NT Fest of Steelbands was organised by North Tyneside Steelband, Dave Edwards, Steelbands North and North Tyneside Music Service with support from BAS to offer an opportunity for newer steelbands (mostly school based) to meet, play together and hear each other. For some bands this was their first public performance outside their school.

It was a whole day affair which was confined to a marquee due to the weather. Various outdoor performance spots were available at The Rising Sun Countryside Park but were very wet.
 
This worked well because we all listened to every band and all the bands played two tunes together; these had been partly prepared in advance and were delivered as a workshop two or three times during the day. We think this was the largest steel ensemble ever to play in the north east with about 80 pannists. It was a bit of a squash in the marquee and half of the audience was outside under umbrellas, but they stayed!
 
Each band got three ten minute slots to impress the audience and the other players, and there was a variety of ability levels on show. There were lots of smiley, if somewhat damp, faces around throughout the day.
 
There was no judging but each band got a trophy and Steel Panders from Monkseaton Middle School won the award for the band which made the best contribution to the day, voted by all the participants. Monkseaton sent two bands as did Chirton Primary School from Sedgefield; also taking part were Chantry Middle School Morpeth, Kingsmeadow High Gateshead, St Cuthberts Primary Hartlepool, North Tyneside Training Band, Bedlingtonshire High and Marden Bridge Middle (who provided the vocals!) from Whitley Bay. It's worth noting that several of the bands are tutored by Steelbands North young leader trainees aged 13-19 who are learning their trade and making great progress as well as being in demand for their tutoring services - that's a healthy situation.
 
Comments from the young pannists included -
'We ought to play like that'
'I like their drummer'
'It's better than school!'
'Wow, they're loud'
'we need a uniform too'
'Can we come next year'
'That was a great day, do we have to go yet?'
'what rain?'
'We weren't the best band but we could be next year'
 
The tutors, many of whom are new to pan, also gained alot from the experience which has strengthened the north east pan network.
 
We are hoping to repeat and develop this event for next year as it was so popular and enjoyable, but we will try to avoid the rain!

Author : Dave Edwards