Caribbean Coyotes show off steelpan skills at concert

Saturday nights at the University of South Dakota can bring any number of surprises to campus, and Nov. 3 was no exception as the Caribbean Coyotes brought the flair of steel drums to the Mt. Rushmore State.

Nine students gathered onstage at the Colton Recital Hall with Director Darin Wadley for a 7:30 p.m. performance in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. The group played a variety of songs from saucy Santana melodies to modern hits like Gotye’s “Somebody that I Used to Know.”

The Saturday night performance was not only a concert for family, friends and steel band enthusiasts, but also a history lesson on the evolution of the steelpan (steel drums) movement. Originating from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the modern pans, like the ones used by the group, are handmade from 55-gallon barrels, said Wadley, director of percussion studies at USD.

“It is a unique sound that people seem to gravitate toward, especially in this part of the country where you don’t usually hear a steel band playing,” Wadley said.  “I think I also like that in a steel band, you can play so many different musical styles.”

The Caribbean Coyotes, each wearing an appropriate tropical-themed t-shirt, are actually this semester’s percussion ensemble, said Wadley. But starting next semester, the musical group will not be as exclusive. Anyone, including non-music performance majors, can join the steel band as an elective.

Sophomore Alex Hanson had never played the steel drum before joining the ensemble, and he said it was a tough learning curve at first,.But group rehearsal three times a week, as well as individual practice, made it just like learning any other kind of pitch instrument.

“I would equate it to learning to play the saxophone, but instead of punching valves, you are hitting all the notes all around,” Hanson said. “But it is still definitely hard because each drum is playing different notes, which requires a good memory.”

Fifth-year Angela Lambrecht, a member of the Caribbean Coyotes, previously played with Wadley in an outside steel band group. She agreed with Hanson that the steel drum is difficult to pick up, even with years of experience playing percussion.

“It is like walking up to a different instrument,” Angela Lambrecht said. “Especially for those of us playing two drums or more, each one plays different notes. They are, essentially, all different instruments.”

The challenge of the drums was hardly noticeable as performers approached the concert with ease, swaying and bobbing to the music. Aside from playing quintessential steelpan songs like “Pan in A Minor,” a real crowd pleaser was the band’s version of “Oye Coma Va,” by Tito Puente and Santana.

Cheryl Lambrecht, Angela Lambrecht’s mother, was among the concert-goers getting into the rhythm of the band. She said since hearing her daughter first play, she loves the sound and environment it creates for the audience.

“My grandson couldn’t keep still,” Cheryl Lambrecht said with a laugh. “You can’t help but want to move to the music.”

Reach reporter Megan Card at [email protected].