HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band profile picture

HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm

About Me

The Humboldt State Calypso Band was founded in the Spring of 1986 by Dr. Eugene Novotney, Professor of Music at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. Originally, the band was formed as an extended percussion ensemble, consisting of marimba, vibraphone, drumset, percussion, and a single tenor pan playing the melody. Most of the early arrangements performed by the band were simple versions of traditional calypso songs. The name, Humboldt State Calypso Band, was chosen, both because of the bands repertoire, and because of the groups original instrumentation. Now the band is over 25 members strong and is comprised of a full orchestra of steel drums of every size and range. All members of the group are students of Humboldt State University, and the group rehearses weekly as a class in the HSU Music Department.

The Steel Drum, or “Steelpan" as it is called in Trinidad, is a highly developed instrument formed from a 55-gallon oil barrel. The barrel is hammered, measured, scribed, grooved, fired, and then fine-tuned by an expert craftsman. Through the use of single, double, and multiple combinations of barrels of different depths, the full symphonic range is reproduced. The music performed on these instruments has been called both festive and inspirational, and the steelpan drum was, in fact, the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.

The Humboldt State Calypso Band prides itself in maintaining an accurate and authentic connection to the Caribbean roots of the steel band movement and the innovative musicians of Trinidad, the island on which this unique percussion phenomenon was born. Present and former members of the Calypso Band have traveled to the West Indies, where they performed with some of the best steelbands in the world in Trinidad’s National Panorama Competition during Carnival. In turn, Panorama music from Trinidad has greatly influence the band's repertoire and instrumentation.

The Humboldt State Calypso Bands Steelpans are built by Clifford Alexis, a Trinidad native who directs the steel drum program at Northern Illinois University. In essence, the band owes much to Clifford Alexis, for it is not only his instruments, but also his spirit, which has helped the group grow from its infancy to its present state of orchestral maturity. The band is dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary music from the Caribbean, Africa, Brazil, and the United States. In addition to its regular performances at Humboldt State University and throughout Northern California, the band has undertaken tours to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Seattle, Stockton, Fresno, Oakland, and Los Angeles.

For Sponsor and Booking Information, please contact Dr. Eugene Novotney by visiting http://www.humboldt.edu/~mus/faculty/enovotney.html Thanks for your support.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/24/2006
Band Website: humboldt.edu/~mus/ensembles/calypso.html
Band Members:MORE UPDATES COMING SOON

Tenor Pans: Dr. Eugene Novotney; Pablo Rotter; Knick Moore; Joe Bishop; John Evans; Jonathan Kipp

Double Tenor Pans: Vanessa Lindberg; Gil Spitz; Tien-yu Tai; Roland Wu

Double Second Pans: Bryan Osper; Carlee Gravesen; Rebekah Downey; Fritz Dannhausen; Brett Huska

Cello Pans: Blake Parker; Melody Walker; Tricia Baxter; Daniel Grantz; Sky Miller

Bass Pans: Jesse Frazen; Nick Duckworth; Garrett - Trask Bailard; Tony Tubiola.

Engine Room: Robbie Douglas; Chris; Josh Boronkay; John Thomas

Former Members: Amy Cadle; Simon Lucas; Rob Peterson; Patrick Quinn; Brad Moore; Andrea Benson; Rebekah Zdunich; Joe Mailloux; Nick Burmeister; Kris DiNoto; Matt McClimon; Nick Fabin; Andy Niven; Michael McKinnon; Tristan Herbert; Jennifer Quigley; Jamie Obeso; Galen Armstrong; Lorenza Simmons; Seth DuVernay; Tyler Hunt; Steve Mitchell; Rudy Slzweski (more to be listed)

Influences:
Style Influences: Trinidad & Tobago Panorama, Calypso, AfrioCuban, Latin Jazz, Jazz, Brazilian Carnaval, Contemporary Percussion Compositions.

Personal Influences: Ray Holman, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Liam Teague, Cliff Alexis, Lord Kitchener, Cal Tjader, Andy Narell, and many others.


Sounds Like:

Trinidad & Tobago Panorama, Calypso, AfrioCuban, Latin Jazz, Jazz, Brazilian Carnaval, Contemporary Percussion Compositions, world music, Caribbean Music, Dance Music,Ray Holman, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Liam Teague, Cliff Alexis, Cal Tjader, Andy Narell, Lord Kitchener, Desperado Steel Orchestra, NIU Steel Band, CSU Long Beach Steel Band.



Record Label: Yet to have one!!
Type of Label: None

My Blog

HSU Percussion Ensemble and Calypso Band

Hosted By: Eugene NovotneyWhen: Saturday Apr 28, 2007 at 8:00 PMWhere: Van Duzer TheatreHumboldt State UniversityArcata, CA 95521United StatesDescription:Eugene Novotney Click Here To View Event...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:14:00 PST

Check out this event: CAHSS Scholarship Benefit Concert

Hosted By: HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band When: Friday Mar 02, 2007 at 8:00 PMWhere: Fulkerson Recital Hall1 Harpst StreetArcata, CA 95521United StatesDescription:HSU Percussion Ensemble &...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:17:00 PST

HSU Calypso Band Banner

here is the code for normal banner Make your own Banner here!Copy this code into your profile to display this banner!..Make your own Banner here!" type="text"> ...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:52:00 PST

Free Hugs Campaign

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_hugsFree Hugs!!!Add to My Profile | More Videos...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Sat, 04 Nov 2006 05:45:00 PST

Check out this event: Humboldt Calypso Band with Bloco Firmeza

Hosted By: JambalayaWhen: Saturday Nov 04, 2006 at 9:31 PMWhere: Jambalaya915 H. StArcata, CA 95521USDescription: Jambalaya Click Here To View Event...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:27:00 PST

April 29, the History Making for HSU Calypso Band (3)

Memorable Quotes1) Cliff: 'You are all great players, but you have to listen. When you are playing the music, you have to listen to the break drum holding the up beats, and the bass drum holding the d...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Mon, 01 May 2006 01:42:00 PST

April 29, the History Making for HSU Calypso Band (2)

On Sale,HSU Calypso Band products1. Pan On The Move CD2. HSU Calypso Band - 20 Year Anniversary Jersey  i) Black and White T-Shirt ii) Navy Blue and White T-Shirtiii) Grey and Black T-Shirti...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Mon, 01 May 2006 01:32:00 PST

April 29, the History Making for HSU Calypso Band (1)

After 4 days of intense rehersal, the HSU Calypso Band played for its 20-year aniversary concert with guest artists - Cliff Alexis, Ray Holman, and Liam Teague. The first half of the concert featured ...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Mon, 01 May 2006 01:25:00 PST

Saturday, April 22

A beautiful day to begin the slam festival. With all the supproter of the HSU Calypso Band, I really thank you for being out there dancing with us. Watching you all is the most beautiful thing to us.H...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 09:02:00 PST

Rape Before The Tuesday Night's Show

I (Tien) ran home in the rain from KBR on Tuesday evening around seven. Taking the sidewalk right next to the library circle, and off the LK Wood I went. I was slightly past 7 pm when I was poured on ...
Posted by HSU Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:55:00 PST