The Melodians Steel Orchestra range in age from 12 to over 60 and are drawn from all walks of life. The Melodians Steel Orchestra encourage and promote involvement in Steelpan music regardless of age, sex, race or social background.
Melodians Members
| Terry Noel | Chris Sylvester |
| Joanna Rabbatts | Beverley Deadman |
| Saffron Murphy Mann | Robert London |
| Lucy Barnard | Richard Hobson |
| Julie Morris | Louise Azavedo |
| Karen Jones | Yvette Walcott |
| Amelia Mitchell | Michelle Reynaga Choque |
| Daisy Seepersad | Ian Sandy |
| Michael Olaniran | Michael Forde |
| Luca Goldfinch | Shaun Onokare |
| Archer Chang | Dymphna Graham |
| Ann Morant | Jennifer Gilkes |
| William Bolton | |
This section highlights ten key members of the Melodians Steel Orchestra. They are:
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Chris Sylvester – Tenor/Soprano |
Joanna Rabbatts – Double Second |
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Joanna became fascinated with the steel pans and started playing from the age of 9 while at primary school. She continued playing at Burntwood Secondary School where she gained a GCSE in Music using the steelpans. She joined Melodians in 1992 and is now a key player in the orchestra. |
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Robert London – Tenor/Double |
Julie Morris – Cello |
Robert’s interest in Pan started when he was given a Tenor Pan by his Grandad who is from Trinidad. He proved to be a natural pannist and joined Melodians in 1989 while still at school. He has risen to be a key player who is now developing his skill as an arranger. He also plays in duets and quartets with other members of the orchestra. |
Julie started playing the pans while at Dick Sheppard Secondary School in Brixton. She joined the Melodians in 1989 while the Orchestra was based in Harrow. Julie also sings and sang with the Orchestra at its Annual Award Concert in 2001. |
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Louise Azavedo –
Tenor/Soprano
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Richard Hobson –
Cello
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Louise joined the orchestra at the tender age of 11 around the end of 2003. She is a key player in the Tenor section. Her family has always supported the orchestra and they are always present at public events. |
Richard has had a long-held interest in all things pan-related ever since visiting Trinidad and Tobago (the birthplace of his mother) as a very young boy. He joined the Melodians in 2009 and has been an integral member of the band ever since. |
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Amelia Mitchell –
Tenor
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Michael O & Mike F –
Drums & Percussion
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The influence and experience of rhythm through our own individual projects has covered a range of different genres over time. However, in 2004 we joined the Melodians which has provided us both with the opportunity to work with several genres in the same place! Global travel, friendship and great camaraderie with this band have not only added to our musical experiences but to our life journeys too..! |
| Beverley Deadman – Double Seconds | Lucy Barnard – Guitar Pans |
Beverley started playing pan at the age of 13 at Dick Sheppard School in Brixton. After leaving school, she joined the Melodians in May 1989 aged 17 years old and started to travel and experience a wide range of concerts and performances abroad and around the UK. She has always had a love for playing pan and being a double second player. She continues to enjoy playing pan and seeing the enjoyment it brings to the audiences of the orchestra. |
Lucy joined the Melodians in 2014 while still a student at Henry Cavendish School and player in the school steelband where her talent as a Pan Player was instantly recognised. Since becoming a member of the Melodians she has shown her potential to be a top class Pan Player on the Guitar Pans. Lucy has a very bright future as a musician. |
