Some people imagine cooking, gold sifting, the shape of Oklahoma and stir fry when they hear the words “steel pan.” However, the NIU music department would beg to differ.

-Originating in Trinidad, the steel pan became a popular instrument throughout the world. The drums, which come in various sizes, have a steel interior with various bubbles that act like keys.

Students can reminisce about their Caribbean vacation by taking a trip to the Music Building, where the All University Steel Band and NIU Steel Band practice and perform.

“It’s all about the groove,” said Frank Check, a junior music performance major. Even though this music typically is associated with calypso, the steel pan sounds equally appealing in all types of music such as classical, R&B and pop. They’ve even played some Alicia Keys.

NIU was the first university in the country to have a steel pan band — making it the oldest steel band in the country.

In 2000, the steel band competed in Trinidad against professional bands from around the world, taking second place overall. Its second-place finish was enough for it to be invited to play at another festival in Korea.

“The steel band was a part of the main reason I transferred here,” said Jason Schreiber, a graduate student, a participant in the NIU Steel Band and the conductor of the All University Steel Band. “However, I didn’t expect to major in it, but I fell in love and made it my actual major.”

NIU is one of only a few schools in the country to offer a degree in the steel pan. And Schreiber is not alone in his pursuit of the steel band; students from all over the world come to play, making it one of the top collegiate steel bands in the country.

So it’s no doubt a good thing that the band is “steel” going strong.