Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra

Steelpans are a type of instrument used by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra.
The drum major of the TTDFSO in full dress uniform.

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra (TTDFSO) is a specialized military band that is part of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It has its roots in British traditions for military bands, all while also uniquely using unconventional instruments such as steelpans and other native Trinidadian instruments. The 40-member band is currently the only military steel band in the world.[1]

The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment provides the majority of the musicians who are assigned to the orchestra. Following a brief attempt create a similar type of marching band the 1960s, the TTDFSO was created on 2 June 1995 on the initiative of Chief of Defence Staff Carlton A. Alfonso and Sergeant Cecil James.[2][3] The regiment had its own brass band at one point, which followed French and African music styles.[4] Today the band follows Afro-Caribbean music Calypso music rhythms in its repertoire.[5]

  1. ^ Press, DAVID NICHOLSON Daily. "NATIONS UNITED". dailypress.com.
  2. ^ "Trinidad & Tobago - Ministry of National Security". www.globalsecurity.org.
  3. ^ Posted by Robert Tobitt on June 16, 2009 at 8:21pm; Blog, View. "History of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra". whensteeltalks.ning.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Torres-Santos, Raymond (13 January 2017). Music Education in the Caribbean and Latin America: A Comprehensive Guide. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781475833195 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ at 3:38pm, David Sivills-McCann 2nd August 2019. "'Kaleidoscope': Drums And Dance Bring Colour To Start Of Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo". Forces Network.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)