Ambridge Steel Drum Band

The Ambridge Area High School Steel Band, under the direction of Todd Hartman, has received national recognition for its outstanding musical ability, unique style, and infectious energy.
Since its inception in 1988, the steel drum program has grown from five students participating after school to an average of sixty band students. Their current musical repertoire reflects a diverse collection of styles including traditional calypso & soca, big band swing, afro-cuban, latin-jazz, classical, pop, and tropical-rock.
The steel band was one of only three high school groups from across the nation selected to perform at two of the American Association of School Administrators National Conferences, one of which gave them an opportunity to open up for Steven Spielberg’s keynote address in San Francisco. Additionally, they have been to three National School Board Association Conferences, and most recently, performed for over 9,000 engineers and vendors from all over the world at the annual Association for Iron and Steel Technology’s International Conference.
The steel band has been invited to perform for cultural outreach assemblies at thirty different school districts located around the Pittsburgh area and has performed at twelve different higher learning institutions. Their most memorable experience came when they played with the marching band in the 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. It marked the first time in the 115 year history of the parade that a steel band combined with a marching band.