Canal Winchester Performing Arts Collective

A Community Of Life-Long Artists

Steel Drum Bands

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The Winchester Steel Company Steel Band program is managed and promoted through the Canal Winchester Performing Arts Collective and the Canal Winchester Joint Recreation District.

Founded in 2001, the Winchester Steel Co., under the direction of Todd Phillips, has become the premier steel drum band program in central Ohio. The list of notable performances include: an inauguration reception at the Ohio Statehouse for dignitaries and invited guests of the Strickland/Fisher administration; opening for the Columbus Jazz Orchestra at the historic Southern Theater in 2004, and at the Columbus Zoo for the JazZoo concert series every year since 2006.

The band shared the stage with Pro Musica, Contemporary American Theater Company and Opera Columbus when they accompanied BalletMet YouthMet! dance ensemble in a performance in 2004. The Winchester Steel Co. has appeared as featured performers at the Lancaster Arts Festival since 2003. They have also been pleased to present several concerts for area schools, local festivals and private parties.

The Winchester Steel Co. has worked with many world-class steel pan educators including Andy Narell, Tom Miller, Ray Holman, Chris Tanner, Jim Munzenrider, Alan Lightener, Tracey Thorton and Jonathan Scales.

The 32-member ensemble performs an average of 15 times per year in both full band and combo-size groups throughout central Ohio.

Because of the tremendous popularity of the High School age Winchester Steel Co., the steel band program also includes the Middle School age Band and our Adult Community Band. The Steel Band program is committed to creating excellence in Music Education using the Academic Content Standards laid down by the Ohio Department of Education.

The Winchester Steel Co. has recorded six CDs: Open for Business, (2002), Steelin’ U Away (2004), Pan Paradise (2007), Live, (2008), Viva la Steel, (2010) and Message in a Bottle (2014).