UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2022 ROUNDUP - METRONOMES STEEL ORCHESTRA

Aug 3

Aug 3 UK NATIONAL STEELBAND PANORAMA 2022 ROUNDUP - METRONOMES STEEL ORCHESTRA

Metronomes was formed in 1973 by Phil Dubique and Irvin Corridan, and is currently lead by Eversley “Breeze” Mills. Their panyard has been in Meanwhile Gardens, Ladbroke Grove, since 1989. They have over 2000 members in their extended family living in North Kensington and surrounding areas. Metronomes has contributed to this wonderful art form for forty-nine years.

Metronomes Memory project has seen them received funding from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Arts Service to create podcasts about memories of people in the band. Everything from what the older generation recalls from when they came to London in the 1950s and 1960s, to what it was like when Metronomes first won Panorama. There will also be an opportunity to talk about more recent memories, such as Black Live Matter protests and activism. They have lots of project ideas being worked on that will help keep the band and the wider Metronomes family united during these difficult times.

Metronomes teach and perform steelpan music, promote Caribbean heritage, and run projects to benefit local people. Metronomes plays an important role in the local Caribbean community. It brings families together, helping to reduce social isolation especially amongst the elderly and single parents. Metronomes is especially good at involving people not involved in education or other arts activities and has a long history of working with people who have frequent contact with the criminal justice system. A large number of young people who attend Metronomes go on to university and it has helped produce a generation of architects, athletes and doctors. However, we are resolutely focused on involving all young people, including those struggling in life. Metronomes leaves no one behind.

Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills – Vice Chairman of BAS (British Association of Steelbands). has injected a new vibrancy into the band, which comprises of men and women, young and old whose talent and dedication to developing their own individual skills is outstanding. These players are constantly extending their expertise and developing in-depth knowledge of the evolution of this musical instrument called the steelpan.

Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills keeping an eye on the practice session.

Metronomes offers free classes for all – Metro Academy, a beginners class for children; adult beginners classes; and rehearsals for established players in their stage side. More than 75% of young people who attend Metronomes go on to university, it has helped produce a generation of architects, athletes and doctors. However, it is resolutely focused on involving all young people, including those struggling in life. Metronomes leave no one behind.

Metronomes perform at various events all over the UK, from festivals to award ceremonies, including the 2009 Calabash Awards. They have previously completed international tours in Leipzig, Germany on an invitation from the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in September 2005 and the Paléo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland in 2011. Most recently, they performed with UK Grime artist, Kano, for a Spotify Live Session for his song ‘Pan Fried’ and performed with him during his 2019 tour at the Royal Albert Hall.