“Harrow Steel” was founded 1986.

We provide an opportunity for young musicians aged 13 – 21 to learn complex music aurally within a Steel Band.

Our band is inclusive and we have students from all backgrounds reflecting the diversity of the London Borough of Harrow. These students have forged friendships, often long lasting, with each other regardless of faith or background. When we come together as a band to perform in the local area the student families bond through a shared interest. The weekly rehearsals give the students a routine, a chance to meet new friends, learn the steel pans, improve concentration, improve their listening skills and memory.

Life skills learnt are teamwork, leadership skills and listening to others. Our rehearsals can vastly improve the mental heath of our young people.

Harrow Steel have regularly appeared at numerous notable venues and concerts, including BBC Television shows such as ‘Blue Peter’, ‘Record Breakers’ and ‘You and Me’. More recently, we have performed at the Royal Festival Hall, Indigo at the O2 Arena, St. John Smith’s Square, and Music for Youth competitions.

Central to Harrow Steel are the opportunities we have created for young people to travel around Europe, playing the music that they have spent the year rehearsing and perfecting for audiences who may not have experienced Steel Band music. Such tours have taken the band to Venice, Barcelona, Lake Garda, Salzburg, Paris, Ostend, Amsterdam, the Rhineland, and the French Alps.

Having successfully bid for Charity status in December 2019, we now run regular weekly rehearsals to access high-quality music provision that would otherwise be out of reach for some young people.