The name RASPO commemorates the very first steel band to play in the UK in 1951 at the South Bank’s Festival of Britain featuring TASPO - The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra. Since its inception in 1999 RASPO - Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra performs regularly at festivals, carnivals, parties, corporate events and on national television.

The RASPO Youth Steel Band is made up of young people aged from seven to late teens. Advanced players over fourteen join the RASPO Hummingbirds playing at weddings, functions and evening events. Members of this group also train as workshop assistants and help to organise RASPO related events and activities. Their ‘pan yard’ is located upstairs the Central Reading Youth Provision (CRYP) home to regular band rehearsals & weekly steel pan and percussion workshops.

The RASPO Project encourages players to become advocates of steel pan music and carnival arts.  In October 2004, they hosted the fifth celebration of World Music and Arts, an annual multi-cultural family event providing an opportunity to enjoy performances from a range of young people and take part in cultural music and dance workshops.  The event also featured stalls, exhibitions and displays.

The purpose of the event was to recognise and celebrate the creative achievements of young people. The celebration offered encouragement to the next generation of British-born African, Caribbean and Asian young people to continue exploring and developing their creativity, and their understanding of cultural diversity.  RASPO comes under the shelter of Culture Mix Arts, which is a project management organisation promoting the development of arts, music and cultural diversity in the Reading community.  In 2007, eight of RASPO players joined forces with Mangrove Steelband to compete at the National Champions of Steel competition.

For further information please contact:
Mary Genis at CultureMix Arts, P O Box 2766 Reading RG30 1RF
Tel 07973 251919 Email mary@culturemixarts.co.uk  or raspo@panpodium.com