The Orchestra - RASPO

RASPO Steel Orchestra was formed in 1997 supported by Arts Council England's New Audiences Programme with instruments and tutors provided by Mangrove Steel Band.

Central Reading Youth Provision offered space for a PanYard and CultureMix Arts coordinated the project led by its Artistic Director Mary Genis. This followed a pilot carnival project co-ordinated by African Caribbean Arts Development at Reading Borough Council offering carnival costume making and steel pan music workshops supported by local communities.

RASPO is now well established as Reading's premier steel orchestra and welcomes all age groups. The name - Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra - commemorates the very first steel band to play in the UK at the 1951 Festival of Britain: TASPO Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra.

In 2007 RASPO achieved its ambition to take part in the UK Panorama Steelband Competition in Hyde Park. Nine of RASPO's best players joined Mangrove to work with Len Boogsie Sharpe on his arrangement of 'Sharing Licks'. More...
RASPO's director joined Mangrove again for 2009's Panorama to play Andre White's arrangement of 'Magic Drum'. More...

But 2010 was the year RASPO Steel Orchestra entered Panorama independently for the first time. The thirty-five piece orchestra of musicians from Reading and the surrounding areas played Bubbles' arrangement of 'Pan on Fire' for seventh place. RASPO celebrated it's ambitious achievement by taking part in 'Band on the Road' for Notting Hill Carnival's Children's Day procession. More...

In 2011 RASPO worked with New York arranger Iman Pascall and Aberdeen based Pandemic Steel Band to take a forty-seven piece orchestra for their second Panorama competition in Kensal Road. RASPO's higher score won the orchestra sixth place with their rendition of Destra's 'Calling Meh'. More...

The orchestra is made up of musicians of all ages from twelve to mid twenties and beyond who regularly play at festivals and carnivals performing live on ITV and BBC television broadcasts to millions of viewers.

Pans on Fire