Steel Pan Ensemble

In the spring of 2007, the Naperville Education Foundation generously funded the start of the District 203 Steel Drum Bands, and we are now proud to announce the formation and beginning of this new and exciting addition to the NCHS Band Program!

We will invite 20 junior high students and 20 high school students from the district to learn the art of steel pan performance, under the guidance of a number of highly trained professionals. Our two junior high ensembles will meet for 90-minute rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. Our three high school ensembles will meet for 90-minute rehearsals on Monday evenings. (Our advanced high school ensemble will meet both Mondays and Wednesday evenings). The high school students will be subject to an application process.
 

Instructors for the ensembles will be:

Ms. Yuko Asada – Doctoral student at Northern Illinois University studying steel pan. Ms. Asada has her Masters Degree in Steel Pan Performance and her Bachelors Degree in Percussion Performance. Ms. Asada is an active steel pan performer in the Chicagoland area.

Ms. Joeanne Klonowsky – learned to play steel pan 15 years ago in Barbados and received her training in steel pan while living in Antigua for four years. Ms. Klonowsky also taught at St. Joseph 's Academy and John Marshall High School in Rochester, New York. Ms. Klonowsky has a genuine passion for steel pan performance and for working with students in this area.

Mr. Ben Wahlund – Percussion instructor, performer, and composer. Mr. Wahlund has his first Masters Degree in Percussion Performance, a second Masters Degree in Composition, and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. Before joining the teaching staff at Naperville Central, Mr. Wahlund was a band director in Iowa. During this time he was recognized two times as a Golden Apple Educator.