Northern Illinois University Director of Steel Pan Studies, as well as Performer, Educator and Composer Liam Teague stops by to talk about his job, how he came to NIU in the 1990s, writing and arranging for steel drum ensemble, working with non-majors, and musical preparation (03:20), his musical upbringing in Trinidad & Tobago, the importance of the “University of the Panyard”, his early experiences, and how the instrument and the music for the instrument inspired its development (33:55), attaining his undergrad and masters at NIU, overcoming the challenges of being in a new country in the 1990s, and the importance of his support system (51:50), becoming a Professor at NIU and his enjoyment of the musical development of his children (01:07:00), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on the importance of collaboration, impressions, great movies and TV shows, Trinidadian sayings, soccer, a memorably Italy performance, and being inspired by great performers in many genres (01:14:10).
Finishing with a Rave on Robert Caro’s The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Master of the Senate (01:42:20).
Liam Teague links:
“A Visit to Hell” - Liam Teague (Jaden Teague-Nunez performing)
Other Links:
“Pan in A Minor” - Lord Kitchener
Symphony No. 4, Movement IV - P.I. Tchaikovsky (Steel Band version)
“Feeling It” - Invaders Steel Orchestra (Arden Herbert arr.)
The Pan Am North Stars on Ed Sullivan
Winnifred Atwell and the Pan Am North Stars - Ivory and Steel
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra - Tiny Desk
Raves:
The Years of Lyndon Johnson #3: Master of the Senate - Robert A. Caro