Defining the Modern Pannist
Re-write the score and join a vital talk on the pannist’s journey from school to a professional music career, and the barriers we must dismantle for musical equality.
Since Gerald Forsyth first introduced steel pan to the UK school curriculum it has been celebrated as a remarkable tool for engaging young people. Yet, despite its richness, the steel pan has been routinely sidelined in formal music education and accreditation.
Led by educator Dawn K Batson in conversation with consultant and artist manager Elise Brown and musician Tom Challenger, join this captivating conversation as we trace the journey of the steel pan player – from those first school lessons to higher education, and right into the professional music arena. We dive into the systemic barriers that have historically kept steel pan from achieving academic equality with other instruments, and ask the big question: how do we change the game?
Come down and think together about how to dismantle the ‘novelty ceiling’ and ensure pan players are fully recognised as ‘total musicians’ and legitimate scholars of their craft – paving a truly recognised career pathway that embeds the pannist into the fabric of the music industry, now and into the future.
Need to know
This event is offered on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. Free tickets are available, but if you’re able to pay the suggested ticket price of £8 or more, it supports those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.
About the panellists
For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Purcell Room is an auditorium located within our Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.