The Livingston County Community Steel Band was formed in 2001 by director Ted Canning with assistance from the Decentralization grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts.  For some years prior in his performances and school residencies with steel drums or "pans," students and parents would ask him, "How can I learn to play the drums?"  While one could take individual lessons, the real beauty and power of steel drums is found when they play together as a band, accompanied by the percussion instruments of the "engine room." The next logical step was to form a band, and the result has been fun-loving and dedicated groups of people who have learned an exciting musical style and shared it with their neighbors in the county and beyond.
 
Due to the fact that a stable, core group has developed over the last five years, the band has increased its season from 16 weeks to 42 weeks last year.  Band members have taken on more active management and administrative roles such as development, promotion and publicity and have solicited more performances at local events and festivals.  The band remains open to new participants throughout the year, with no requirement for prior experience or music reading skills, from ages 13 and up.  The band rehearses one to two times per week, learning the tunes in a team-oriented, supportive atmosphere.  Anyone interested in the band can contact Ted at 585-243-1162, or by email at panloco@rochester.rr.com.