Meet the BT Melodians Steel Orchestra

The current list of musicians
Meet eleven of the Melodians


The current list of musicians

The BT Melodians Steel Orchestra range in age from 13 to over 21 and are drawn from all walks of life. The BT Melodians Steel Orchestra encourage and promote involvement in Steelpan music regardless of age, sex, race or social background.

Currently the orchestra membership is comprised of 22 musicians. Depending on the function, any number will play up to the full complement of 22 for formal concerts or major functions.

The Musicians
Terry Noel Susan Dennis Jones
Sabrina Diffang Saffron Murphy Mann
Nathalie Lancaster Robert London
Joanna Rabbatts Julie Morris
Michael Forde Steve Allen
Karen Jones Allison Brice
Lynne Waring Samantha Diffang
Chris Sylvester Daniel Azavedo
Beverley Hartley Louise Azavedo
Amy Daniel Michael Olaniran
DJ Turnor Anne Hornby
Laura Phillips Beverley Pierre
   
   
   

Meet nine of the Melodians

This section highlights nine key members of the BT Melodians Steel Orchestra. They are:

Chris Sylvester - Tenor/Soprano
Joanna Rabbatts - Double Second

Chris

Originally from Trinidad, Chris joined the Melodians in 1990. His steel pan education started in Trinidad at an early age where he played with Hilltones and Exodus Steel Orchestras. He joined the Groovers Steel Orchestra in the UK and then moved to the Melodians as a Tenor player.

Joanna

Joanna became fascinated with the steel pans and started playing from the age of 9 while at primary school. She continued playing at Burntwood Secondary School where she gained a GCSE in Music using the steelpans. She joined Melodians in 1992 and is now a key player in the orchestra.

Robert London - Tenor/Double
Julie Morris - Cello

Robert

Robert's interest in Pan started when he was given a Tenor Pan by his Grandad who is from Trinidad. He proved to be a natural pannist and joined Melodians in 1989 while still at school. He has risen to be a key player who is now developing his skill as an arranger. He also plays in duets and quartets with other members of the orchestra.

Julie

Julie started playing the pans while at Dick Sheppard Secondary School in Brixton.  She joined the Melodians in 1989 while the Orchestra was based in Harrow.  Julie also sings and sang with the Orchestra at its Annual Award Concert in 2001.

Daniel Azavedo - Tenor/Soprano
Amy Daniel - Tenor/Soprano/Double Second
Daniel

Amy

Amy started playing the steel pan in 1993 as a double second player. She was introduced to the Melodians by Steve Allen in 1998. Over the years she has developed as the leading Tenor player in the section, performing as a soloist in several concerts both in the UK and abroad including North Korea.

Samantha & Sabrina Diffang - Bass & Cello
Michael O & Mike F - Drums & Percussion

 

 

Samantha & Sabrina

Michael O & Mike F

 

Beverley Hartley - Tenor Soprano
 

 

Beverley

 

 

 


Any comments or issues regarding this site should be addressed to Terry Noel.