Back Pan cam” lets audience to get up close with The University of Akron Steel Drum Band
 
  April 23 at 8 p.m.EJ Thomas Hall Tickets- $16
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Mia Gormandy, a 15-year-old pan player makes her U.S. debut.
A big-screen “pan cam” will put the audience in the middle of the vibrant sights and sounds when The University of Akron Steel Drum Band performs at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m.

Featuring classical to jazz to Caribbean music, the concert continues the band’s popular tradition of inviting Trinidadian musicians to join it on stage. This year’s guest soloist is Mia Gormandy, a 15-year-old pan player making her U.S. debut.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the UA Steel Drum Band was one of the first collegiate steel bands in the United States when it was created in 1980 by Professor Larry Snider of the UA School of Music. Since then the band has grown in size to feature more than two dozen student musicians and has become a favorite at Akron’s First Night and throughout the region.

The band has performed at Blossom Music Center during the past four summers, opening for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Snider continues to lead the band and the Percussion Studies Program in The University of Akron School of Music, and Matt Dudack is the band’s artistic director.