The famed NIU Steelpan program does more than provide crowd-pleasing concerts every semester. The program has a world-wide reach from the students who earn degrees and the impact that they make after graduation.
King Charles III getting a quick steelpan lesson from NIU alumnus Khan Cordice.
Khan Cordice, a 2015 alumnus of the NIU School of Music with a master of fine arts in steelpan performance is currently the Director of Culture for Antigua and Barbuda.
He recently provided the music at a Commonwealth Diaspora reception at St. James Palace in London, October 14, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda coming up November 1-4.
Among the 350 attendees at the reception were King Charles III and Queen Camila of the United Kingdom. The reception celebrated the contributions of Commonwealth communities in the UK and beyond.
Cordice gave the King an impromptu steelpan lesson.
“We are very proud of Khan Cordice and all of his amazing achievements,” said Liam Teague, professor of music, head of steelpan studies and NIU Distinguished Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor. “He is one of the world’s leading steelpan soloists, composers, arrangers and serves as the drill master for the large steelban National Panorama Champions of Trinidad and Tobago, The Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra.”
“Our steelpan program has been enriched over the years by students who hail from Antigua and Barbuda,” Teague continued. “A number of our current students are playing new compositions by Mr. Cordice.”
There are a pair of upcoming steelpan performances at the NIU School of Music. Teague is performing a faculty recital titled, “The Magic of the Steelpan” featuring a number of special guests, November 6 at 5 p.m. in the NIU Recital Hall, and the NIU Steelband Fall Concert is Saturday, November 22 at 3 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.
