COME Sunday, lovers of steel pan music are in for a treat courtesy of some talented inner-city youths and other invited guests.

When Splash dropped in on rehearsals at the Kingston Parish Church Hall in the heart of the city, the sweet sounds of pan greeted us, as it filled the building, spilling over into the churchyard. Inside the hall, eager pannists, the majority of whom are teenagers, played away on the instrument which originated in the Caribbean twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and has the distinction of being the only new acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century

The band — The Apostles — is the resident steel band of the Kingston Parish Church, and not only brings together members of the church family through a love of the music, but also creates a diversion and respite from the often harsh realities of inner-city living.

For band member, 16-year-old Diana Byfield there is no greater joy than being a part of something that totally fulfils her.

In fact, she along with her twin sister and mother are a part of the steel pan orchestra and she thanks God for the day when her mom encouraged them to join the band when it was being formed in 2008.

“I find the experience very good and it’s my way of giving back to God,” she said adding that being in The Apostles helps her to stay focused on her schoolwork, while at the same time helps her to socialise with persons with a similar interest in music, especially pan.

“We generally have playing engagements outside of the church and it’s a good way to make friends,” she shares.

A student of the Kingston Technical High School Byfield is encouraging other teenagers who “have too much spare time on their hands” to be similarly engaged.

“Steel pan would keep them off the streets and give them something to look forward to every week,” she says.

It is the social aspect of this particular outreach ministry by the church that has the church searching for ways and means to increase the number of pans available to the band members. This has given rise to Pan Extravaganza.

The concert is being held in part to help raise funds to equip the band with additional steel pans.

As the orchestra continues their rehearsals musical director Dwight McBean tells Splash of the dire need for additional pans for The Apostles.

“It’s very challenging as we don’t have enough pans and have to be sharing,” he said adding that he hopes the concert on Sunday will be well supported so as they get the additional pans needed.

Part of the funds from Pan Extravaganza will also be used to support the feeding programme at the church. “Sometimes the kids come to practice hungry, they have no energy to play so we have to feed them, plus every time their is a rehearsal we also feed them,” said McBean.

“Hopefully we get a lot of support that we can continue to fund the venture,” he said.

McBean, who plays the steel pan with Stella Maris Steel Pan Orchestra, is an organist at the Kingston Parish Church, so when his church wanted to start a steel band he was eager to be a part of it. He also attests to the social intervention capacity of the band.

The sentiments of Byfield and McBean were echoed by fellow band member Ryhem Clarke, who joined the group in September of this year.

For Clarke, who is also 16 years old, his fascination with the steel pan came after watching the local television programme Layers of Soul and seeing a group playing the steel pan. “I really liked it and now that I am a part of The Apostles, I am just loving the experience. Furthermore music keeps me focused,” he adds, A third former at the Edith Dalton James High School, Clarke plans on being a part of the group for a long time.

He is already looking towards the upcoming yuletide season and added exposure for his fellow pannists. “It would be a dream come true to have Television Jamaica featuring The Apostles playing on A Carol For Christmas.”

The organisers of Pan Extravaganza are promising patrons a musical feast, covering the spectrum from classical through religious, rhythm and blues, folk, reggae and soca music.