1. Advance classes (all ages): Mon & Fri 7.30pm – 9.30pm

This is for pan professionals. They are the main players in the Ebony Steelband. They take part in all major competitions, travel regularly and perform approximately 4 times per week.

2. Children’s Classes (under 15’s): Fri 6.00pm – 7.30pm

This class is at a foundation level for young people learning to play steelpan. They are welcomed to the Millennium Volunteers class and if they need more of a challenge they are welcomed to the advanced classes.

3. Millennium Volunteers Class (16yrs-25yrs): Tue & Thur 6.30pm – 8.30pm

This programme is called Ebony Steelband Millennium Volunteers (MV) for young people aged 16-24. After 50/100 hours of volunteering, you will be presented with an Award signed by the Minister for Skills and Vocational Education. However the ultimate aim is to reach the 200 hours target, when MVs will receive an Award of Excellence signed by the Secretary of State. Both certificates are recognised by major employers and sits well on your CV!

To complete your hours as well as rehearsing twice per week you also do various activities such as: recruitment workshops at colleges and universities, fun activities such as paintballing, take part in national volunteer events such as Make A Difference Day etc.

Also we work in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards (DoE). This award is divided into 4 sections (1) Service, (2) Skills, (3) Physical Recreation and (4) Expedition. Once you have completed your MV hours you naturally qualify for the DoE Awards in Services and Skills, the DoE officer then visits you to discuss the option of progressing you DoE at either a bronze level (stands for a low GCSE serving approximately 3 month) at silver level (higher GCSE serving 6 months) and Gold (an A-level serving 12 months).

Coming soon will be the Youth Achievement Awards and the Arts Awards!

Ebony Steelband Trust & other charities

Ebony Steelband Trust members conventionally do a collection during the lead up to Christmas for various charities. In September the Ebony Millennium Volunteers (MV’s) did a collection for the NSPCC and raised £700. As a result the NSPCC are now working in conjunction with the MV’s to help promote the well being and safety of children. NSPCC is now one of Ebony’s adopted charities and have since raised a futher £2,000 for the NSPCC.

For Christmas 2006 the Ebony Steelband & Ebony MV’s did a collection for Breast Cancer Research UK and the NSPCC. In the future we hope to adopt both of these charities and that a percentage of our performance fees will be contributed towards their valuable work.

Ebony Steelband Trust rehearsals are at; Yaa Asantewaa, Chippenham Mews, London W9 2AN.