A partnership between Anne Arundel Community College and Rockcreek Steel Drums teaches steel drum music to those who don’t have the time for weekend trips to the Caribbean.
The college offered an eight-week noncredit program for adults this semester, the first time it has done so, said Anita Ramundo, the Program Coordinator in The School of Continuing Education at AACC. The class istaught by Mike Miller, a veteran steel drum musician and member of The Geckos, an Annapolis area band.
“One of the cool things about the steel drum is that anyone can start playing at any age, with any level of experience,” said Greshen Gaines of Rockcreek Steel Drums. Rockcreek had been conducting the course on its own for a few years before teaming up with the college, Gaines said.
Enrollment in the course is open to anyone older than the age of 16 and is designed for beginners. Ramundo attended a few of the classes and said “there was a nice homogeneous mix of young, older, male and female.”
“Unlike other instruments, where people feel like they are left behind if they didn?t start playing when they were young, most adults have never played the steel drum before,” Gaines said.
Kevin Martin, the owner of Rockcreek, said that over the years the programs have taught hundreds of students. About half of them have continued with advanced courses.
Last time the course ran, there were 11 registrants, and based on its success, AACC is running the course once over the summer and again in the fall semester.
The courses are taught at Meade Middle School in Odenton and Severna Park High School in Severna Park.
“Evaluations revealed that everyone was very enthusiastic and really enjoyed the experience,” Ramundo said.
Those interested in registering for the course should contact AACC by May 25. Tuition is $200 and includes a rental fee for drums that the students use.
The Geckos regularly perform Sunday nights at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis.
