We wound up partnering with the school to provide a number of Jumbie Jams to the general education and special education students.
“The steel drums have exceeded our expectations, due to their musical, cultural and historical impact,” said Everett in a follow-up conversation after receiving the Jumbies. “The addition of the Jumbie Jams widened the scope and the accessibility of the steel band program for younger students. After our first few sessions, students were able to confidently and accurately perform for our Annual Spring Arts Festival. The students and Jumbie Jams were a big hit!”
Due to the success of the students with the Jumbie Jams, the school will incorporate a Jumbie Jam Club for its younger students.
“I’m very excited for next year, and the new musical opportunities for our upcoming students,” Everett said.
“Jumbie Jams are great for general edudcation, but especially so for special education,” said marketing director Randy Kerns, who is brother to Panyard co-founder Ron Kerns. “All the notes are in the same key, so a wrong note can’t be played. The motor skills to play are basic – simply strike the note. With only eight notes, it isn’t intimidating. And if they miss, it doesn’t matter. It’s steel. You can also apply colored or symbol stickers on the pan drawing attention to where the pan should be struck. I have seen a lot of smiling faces from children just simply striking the pan.”
Pentatonic magnets are also available to simplify playing the Jumbie and play in a pentatonic key.
See how student Ben Blanchett thrived with the Jumbie Jam in our blog “Autism is My Superpower.”
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