The Catalina Foothills High School Falcon Steel Band hosted its fourth annual Tucson Field of Steel event Friday at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.
The festival featured performances by three community groups, four high schools, one middle school and the University of Arizona, according to Tina Walton, director of steel drumming at the high school.
Walton said the festival gives students another opportunity to perform.
"I hope they get to learn from other students and it expands their repertoire," she said.
Natalie Harpe, 19, said she first heard the steel drum when she was in eighth grade. The Star Steelers, a steel drum band from Phoenix, performed at her school and she was instantly hooked.
"It felt like going to the Caribbean Islands - it was awesome," she said. Harpe now plays with the Star Steelers.
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The groups set up their steel drums on the gym floor and kicked off the performance by playing "The Star-Spangled Banner," then the "Mission Impossible" theme song, together. Each band went on to perform two songs each.
Walton said the steel drum can be taken up very easily but requires time to master. Any kind of music, including pop, rock, reggae and Caribbean, can be played on it.
"The steel drums are more than just a novelty on a cruise ship," she said. "The sound it makes really attracts everybody."
Contact photographer Mamta Popat at mpopat@azstarnet.com or 349-5359.
