Steel Bands
Two Innovative Steel Pan Programs
MYSO’s steel pan programs, Calypso and Soca, offer middle and high school students who live or attend school in the city of Milwaukee, an opportunity to develop new and exciting musical and rhythmic skills.
These programs are ideal for students who demonstrate a positive attitude, show a natural sense of rhythm, and possess a genuine desire to learn.
Calypso has performed throughout Milwaukee, with high-profile performances including Summerfest, the Lakefront Festival of the Arts, the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebrations, and many others throughout the community.
At a Glance
- Soca rehearses generally on Thursdays, late afternoon
- Calypso rehearses generally on Thursday evenings
- Students are in middle and high school
- Director: Mr. Tim Rush
Upcoming Events
The Steel Band Staff
Tim Rush
Calypso Director
Jonathan Walls
Steel Band Instructor
Tim Rush
Tim Rush has been active in the steel pan world since 1995, after joining the renowned Northern Illinois University Steel Band.
Under directors Al O’Connor and Cliff Alexis, his time with NIU included a two-week tour of Taiwan in 1998. After receiving his BM degree in Percussion, he went on to receive his MM from Arizona State University, where he served as Director of the ASU Pan Devils Steel Band.
Since then, Tim has shared the stage with such calypso stars as Liam Teague, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Andy Narell and David Rudder, and serves yearly on the faculty of the Percussion and Steel Band session of Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Door County.
Tim also teaches percussion at Merton Intermediate School, Waukesha County Conservatory of Music, and Gman Music. He leads his own band, Caribbean Eclipse, and continues to freelance on steel pan and percussion.
Programs
Jonathan Walls
Jonathan Walls is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he joined the renowned Northern Illinois University Steel Band, and gained his BM in Percussion Performance.
Under the direction of Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis, he spent four years performing at various venues around the Chicago area, and performed with many steel pan stars such as Andy Narell, and Leon “Foster” Thomas.
As a percussionist he was involved in NIU’s Latin Jazz Band, where he played various percussion instruments, and arranged for the band.
He currently freelances as a percussionist and instructor in the southeast Wisconsin area.