NVSC

Our history

Newham Youth Steel Band was formed in 1990.  We are also operating as Newham Steel Band. We are the only steel band that provides training and community services in Newham and most of East London. Originally the organisation was called Dallaway Youth Steel Orchestra, led by Mr Sylvester Dallaway and F.C. Joseph. There was a transition in 1994 to Forest Gate Youth Steel Orchestra when we registered as a charity and the name changed to the current one. The past tutors ware Everley Mill, Gary Moustache, Robert Clark, Alan Baptiste and Nadine Nyapadi. The current tutor is Marcia Brown who is another accomplished tutor. The band is registered and is organising a youth exchange to Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. The band is partly funded by Newham Council and has been supported by business and the local community.

Our mission statement

Our mission at Newham Youth Steel Band, in partnership with parents/carers and outside agencies, is to meet individual needs of young people, adults and their families by providing them with equal opportunities to develop their full potential in a secure and caring learning environment.  They will be given as much support as possible to grow academically, socially and emotionally and to enhance the skills they have gained.

Our values

Children are born with a natural curiosity so that we believe that they learn best through sessions in which they get
first-hand experience of playing, hearing and understanding the steelpan.  We provide a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment in which the members can enhance their abilities and learn about the history and cultural aspects of steel bands.

Our aims

At Newham Steel Youth Band, we work as a team to ensure that members:

• Develop their confidence and self-esteem through their music
• Have a positive view of them-selves and feel confident enough to perform in an independent capacity as well as part of the group
• Acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need now and in the future
• Are valued as individuals
• Get the opportunity to develop their full potential and achieve their goals regardless of race, gender, ability or class
• Recognise the benefits of learning steelpan in a multi-cultural environment where they can develop wareness and respect for others by learning and performing alongside them

Our activities

We provide free performances for the community, mainly after the Autumn and also sessions at schools and local venues.

We are also available for contract to perform at:
• Barbeques
• Boat Excursions & Trips
• Carnivals
• Christenings
• Community festivals
• Community steelpan workshops & demonstrations
• Dances, parties and school concerts
• School steel pan workshops & demonstrations
• Remembrance & commemoration events
• Sessions for people with learning difficulties
• Tuition/training sessions (both in groups and one-to-one)
• And other appropriate activities

For more information on our work, please contact Felix Joseph on 07927 644 629 or 07808 847 974 or you can email felixsteelpan@yahoo.co.uk