In one phrase, Gary Olton, director of the Steel Orchestra for the Del Rosa church in San Bernardino, sums up their trip to Jamaica, “Beyond our wildest expectations!”

The 18-member band and their 45 drums spent June 29 through July 8 with members of the St. James Anglican Parish Church of 600 members in Montego Bay where they taught the art of steel drum music and forged friendships.

L. Roo McKenzie, president of the band’s executive committee, performed a wedding at the Anglican church in Jamaica that an Adventist family had rented. Seeing old steel drums in a loft of the church, he inquired about them. Lisa Watt, who carries a significant position in the church, told him that they were “struggling to establish a steel orchestra.”

This gave McKenzie opportunity to tell her about the steel orchestra in his church, and that the director would be happy to talk with her. Eventually the Anglican church invited Del Rosa to visit them and conduct training workshops.

The orchestra arrived with their drums on June 30. Watt, a construction and hardware store owner and executive, traveled with them and provided meals. This rewarding experience of teaching, learning, and giving performances brought both congregations together in a continuing friendship. Del Rosa orchestra members conducted three workshops for the newly-formed Anglican steel band members, and gave several concerts in the Anglican church. They also performed at several Adventist churches, including a benefit concert for the new wing of the Andrews Memorial Hospital in Kingston.

“The St. James Church is a unique old church of 230 years. The people are warm, friendly and appreciative,” observed Charles Hewitt, the orchestra’s vice president for finance. “It was gratifying to see how these untrained musicians quickly learned the art of playing the drums, even giving us a concert before we left.”

The Del Rosa orchestra donated several drums to the newly-formed group before they left. Michael T. Mupfawa, Del Rosa church pastor who also traveled with the orchestra, reports that it has invitations to help develop steel orchestras in Brazil, South America, and Zimbabwe, Africa.

The Del Rosa Steel Orchestra plans to return to the St. James church next year for follow-up workshops, and in the meantime keeps in touch by mail, e-mail and phone.