Madeline Marston, of Oxford, Ohio, has been playing steel pan since the age of seven. She studied music at Miami University, where she was a member of the steel band under the direction of Dr. Chris Tanner. During her time there, she had the opportunity to meet and perform alongside renowned guest artists such as Ellie Mannette, Cliff Alexis, Liam Teague, Ray Holman, Victor Provost, Andy Narell, and many others.
Since 2016, Madeline has regularly traveled to Trinidad, the birthplace of steel pan, to compete in the Panorama competition as a member of the Silver Stars Steel Orchestra, earning as high as third place. These experiences have allowed her to learn, practice, and perform steel pan at the highest level, and deepen her understanding of the rich cultural context surrounding the instrument, music, and pedagogy.
In 2018, Madeline graduated from Miami University. In 2019, she spent a semester studying at the University of Trinidad and Tobago – National Academy for the Performing Arts, where she was a member of the steel pan studio and ensemble under the direction of Dr. Mia Gormandy. While at UTT NAPA, she was able to learn from notable steel pan composers such as Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Leon “Smooth” Edwards.
Madeline's Works, a collection of five original compositions for steel band, were designed to function as individual tunes or as a diverse five piece program set list. Madeline composed these works with the intention that they be performed by school bands, aspiring to be invited as a guest artist and clinician to share the extensive knowledge and experience that she has gained in Trinidad with students across the United States.
Each chart is individually priced at $25, but this bundle includes all five charts for $100!
Click Here to Purchase Downloadable Scores and Parts
A play on the stereotype of steel pans being associated with the sea, but in a completely different direction than the chill island vibes. This piece is in the style of “surf rock”, associated with surf culture in California and popular across the United States in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Structured around the Byzantine scale and with an upbeat tempo, this piece gives an anxious and excited feel, similar to the tide rising. This piece is advanced - for high school and university groups with or with aspiration for fast hands.
Click Here to Listen: High Tide
Click Here to Purchase Downloadable Score and Parts: High Tide
A simple and uplifting tune with a happy and “girly” feel. Short and sweet, in an upbeat swing style. This piece is intermediate - good for all ages, beginning bands, beginning of the school year, or switching players on to non-primary instruments for this tune.
Click Here to Listen: Peachy
Click Here to Purchase Downloadable Score and Parts: Peachy
A canon which establishes a chord progression and theme, and embellishes them in all voices throughout the song. This piece is beautiful and hymnal in feel, and increasingly builds energy by layering melodies across voices and modulating up by a half step, twice. With no drum set part, this tune could be performed with or without a conductor. This piece is intermediate - for high school and university groups, made manageable to play with repeated material and the slow tempo.
Click Here to Listen: Madeline's Canon
Click Here to Purchase Downloadable Score and Parts: Madeline's Canon
A laid back, groovy soca with a heavy-lifting bassline. This piece gives the feel of relaxing on the beach in the breeze, and features popular Trinidadian rhythms and patterns in the music. This piece is for intermediate or advanced groups - for high school or university groups with or emerging strong middle and low voice players.
Click Here to Listen: Sun Kissed
Click Here to Purchase Downloadable Score and Parts: Sun Kissed
A bluegrass jamboree! Moving sixteenth notes imitate the picking of a banjo and the melody moving between voices mimics a bluegrass quartet passing solos around the group. Tenor and Doubles breaks can function as solis or as written solos, and an open solo section allows for improvisation. An optional Tenor 2 part serves as an easier alternative for weaker players, and the Double Tenor and Double Second parts could be distributed as advanced and easier doubles parts, respectively. This piece is advanced - for high school and university groups with or with aspiration for fast hands.
Click Here to Listen: Critters
Click Here to Purchase Downloadable Score and Parts: Critters
Are you looking for something of a different genre, instrumentation, or difficulty level? Contact me to write a piece customized for your group!
Are you looking for an experienced clinician to work with your group on playing technique, ear training, physically expressive performance, engine room rhythms, Trinidadian culture and history, or anything else? Contact me for bookings!