The Meyer Levin Steel Orchestra is an important and influential part of the Performing Arts Program at Meyer Levin School for the Arts/I.S. 285. It is led by Mr. Tichard Chapman, a talented and dedicated instructor. Since its inception in 1998, the Steel Band has been a treasured jewel of the school community, thrilling audiences at various locations throughout New York City with selections from a variety of musical genres. In addition to learning how to play the steel pan instrument and perform as a group, the student's curriculum includes a basic introduction to music theory, the history of the steel pan, and its origins. The children also gain an insight of the composition of the steel band its construction and development.
Throughout the years, there have been many exceptional students whose talents have had direct impact on the steel band’s success. Walter Louis, Kiera Scanterbury, Kadeem Alleyne, Janel Franklin and Clinton Modeste, are a few of those who have all played an important role in the growth and popularity of the Meyer Levin Steel Band.
In 2006 former members of the Meyer Levin Steel Band came to Mr. Chapman with ideas and aspirations of forming a reunion band for the next show. This sparked the idea of not just forming a reunion band for a one time event, but forming an operating Steel band of current and past members, who can learn from each other and perform under a separate entity. This idea took off and led to the creation of the Higher Levin Steel Orchestra.
Higher Levin has made quite a name for themselves throughout the community and throughout New York City performing at various community and fundraising events. They have performed at The Carlito's Wish Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner, The Susan Smith McKinney Nursing Home's Caribbean Day and Paerdegat Park's Youth Happening. They have also showcased their talents for Mayor Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion, appeared at The Wyckoff House Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, Kings Plaza, the Taft School in Connecticut, and the co-naming of Church Avenue in Brooklyn as Bob Marley Boulevard in 2006.
With the hard work and the dedication of the students and parents, the success of Higher Levin is limitless.