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The Rainbow Steel Band opened for business in 1957. Having emigrated from Barbados to the UK , steel pan aficionado Hallam Ifill chose to settle in Bath, Somerset. Other newly-arrived steel band enthusiasts made their homes nearby. A church hall was hired, rehearsals took place, and the Rainbow Steel Band was born. … more about Rainbow Steel Band celebrates 50th anniversary

Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is the Gaelic name for an evening of Scottish country dancing, accompanied by musicians playing a merry mix of traditional jigs, strathspeys and reels. … more about What happens at a Scottish ceilidh?

A Caribbean steel pan is traditionally made from a 55 gallon oil drum. The level base of the inverted drum is beaten into a bowl shape and the notes are formed by creating almost flat polygonal areas or facets within this bowl shape. … more about What is a Caribbean steel pan?

Hurricane Katrina may have laid waste to the city itself in 2005, but the spirit of the place lives on in the music. This statement was graphically realised at this year’s New Orleans Jazz Festival. … more about The spirit of New Orleans lives on at Jazzfest

It was the Festival of Britain in 1951 that propelled the Caribbean steel pan into the UK limelight. Trinidad’s contribution to the festivities was a performance by the Trinidad All Percussion Steel Orchestra. … more about Caribbean steel pan in arrives the UK

Did all musical instruments come into being through a happy accident? It’s difficult to know. The roots of most traditional musical instruments are lost in the mists of time. However, the Caribbean steel pan is such a recent innovation that we can still speak to those “in the know” to find out. … more about The origin of the Caribbean steel pan

Whither Glasto? The sad truth that Glasto failed miserably to sell out in minutes this year was underlined this weekend by the full page adverts for the festival that appeared in all the broadsheets. Same old hippy feel to the ad design - and when you look closely at the detailed lineup, all the usual suspects are there. It’s not Jay Z that is keeping folks away. … more about Where next for Glastonbury Festival?

Strike up a jig or reel in preparation to dance “The Dashing White Sergeant” and the fiddle is never far away. For centuries, in country towns and villages across the British Isles, dance tunes and fiddle skills were passed from father to son. There was always a local band to call upon at harvest time. … more about The great ceilidh revival

Has Glastonbury Festival sold out? It’s an arguable point. One thing is for sure, in terms of tickets, it certainly hasn’t sold out this year, but in terms of ethos - well, there’s no two ways about it, it’s not the same chaotic, quirky, off-the-wall emporium of the Hippy surreal that it once was. … more about Has Glastonbury Festival sold out?

Improve communication, release stress and create a positive attitude in within the workforce by introducing music-making into the workplace. Music workshops provide an novel and innovative method of improving corporate performance. … more about Music builds team spirit in the workplace