After-school steel band program opens registration to area youth and adults

Youth from the Edmonds School District's Summer Music School
perform on Steel Magic Northwest's brand new instruments, July 15

Steel Magic Northwest, the new continuous after school steel band program for youth 5th through 12th grades (and an evening class for adults) is finally a reality and has opened its registration to area youth and adults. After two years of planning and fundraising as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the independent program will launch in late September.

The debut performance on their new instruments took place July 15 as 45 youth in two bands played a short concert as a part of the Edmonds School District's Summer Music School, a three-week day camp. Steel Magic Northwest contracted with the district to provide the instruments and instruction for the camp. 

Executive and Artistic Director Gary Gibson says, "I founded this organization two years ago, after visiting some 200 other steel band programs around the country as guest artist and clinician/adjudicator. There has never been a sustainable, high quality organization like those I've seen elsewhere in the country here in the Puget Sound region. Until now." 

Students and adults interested in enrolling in the twice-weekly classes can do so on the website, by clicking on the "enroll" tab. Classes are limited to 24 students each (the number of instruments we have in the orchestra).

The first session will be twelve weeks, culminating in performances in December. From those classes, by invitation and audition, students will be chosen for two performance-oriented groups, which will rehearse and perform year-round on a schedule synchronized with the school districts.