San Diego Reader

Genre: Classical, Covers | Standards

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Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 1999

Background:

The Steel Monarchs is a steel drum band founded in 1999 at Monarch School, a San Diego public institution assisting homeless youth. Initially, some percussion instruments were donated by promoter and activist Makeda Dread, of the World Beat Center.

As of the 2010/2011 school year, the program instructor is Robbie Hutchinson. At any given time, five students make up the performing ensemble, with another half dozen or so in training.