Oberlin Steel Records

Collection

Identifier: RG 19-003-003-003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records of Oberlin Steel contain four decades of music, photographs, letters, and other printed materials that span from 1985 to 2023. The records reflect the history of the tight-knit, entirely student-run ensemble, including correspondence related to discussions about steel drum music generally and potential musical arrangements for future performances. There are many letters which highlight the community outreach that has always been a part of Oberlin Steel, as well as letters regarding the cultural place that playing the steel drum has for non-Trinidadian players, something that has been discussed throughout the existence of the group. A few financial records document the cost of the steel drums and provide an overview of the other instruments used in the band. Printed material within the collection includes clippings from the Oberlin Review and posters for shows around campus, reinforcing Oberlin Steel’s strong campus presence since the early eighties. There are also documents that show the itinerary for various tours, demonstrating the variety of locations the organization at which Oberlin Steel has performed. The records also include CDs and cassettes of Oberlin Steel’s recorded albums, as well as miscellaneous steel drum music and other performances by the group and the ExCo. Lastly, there are many photographs over the course of the group’s existence that display the sense of community within Oberlin Steel and the many performances they have put on over the years.

Dates

Creation: 1986-2023, undated

Conditions Governing Access

Two folders restricted for personal information; access only by the permission of the College Archivist. See inventory for details.

Administrative History

Oberlin Steel, also known as “OSteel,” is a student-directed steel pan ensemble at Oberlin College. Founded in 1980 by Peter L. Mayer, Toby Gordon, and Mike Geller, the group, then known as The Oberlin Can Consortium, began over the Winter Term with support from the Winter Term Committee and Conservatory Board. Geller, Mayer, and Gordon, who went to high school together in Chappaqua, New York, were previously members of an acclaimed steel drum ensemble, Calliope’s Children. The band included thirteen people, and they experimented with playing traditional Trinidadian, Classical, and jazz music. The steel pan itself was invented in Trinidad in the 1940s, made from oil drums cut into different shapes, blending European, African, and Indian musical traditions. Since its genesis, the band has consisted of four “leads,” four “seconds,” three “cellos,” one bass player, and (typically) one bongo drum. Much of the music played over the initial winter term and in later performances was provided by former member of Calliope’s Children, James Leyden, although members have also occasionally played their own compositions. The final performance of the 1980 winter term course was received with excitement in Warner, where the group would continue to perform on a semi-regular basis when not doing shows at the Harkness Night Club, in Wilder Bowl, or—occasionally—at Finney Chapel.

In approximately 2008, the group decided to change their name from the Can Consortium to Oberlin Steel. An accompanying Experimental College (ExCo) course, which has been taught every semester since around 1983, is usually required for those who want to join the band. No experience is necessary to participate in the ExCo, which teaches beginners about the Trinidadian history and culture from which the drum originates, as well as how to play. Both the ExCo and the band use a practice space in the basement of Hales Gymnasium. Oberlin Steel has been located in Hales since the establishment of the group. Oberlin Steel has gone on near-annual tours since 1991, typically over spring break. While they normally perform at a variety of universities, elementary schools, public parks, and sometimes malls along the east coast, the group has also traveled to perform at schools in the Midwest and the south. Oberlin Steel also performs regularly around campus. They play shows every semester in The Cat in the Cream. The group has also performed at commencement and alumni weekend since its establishment. Oberlin Steel has released eight albums in a variety of genres, from the years 1988 through 2009. Today, the music Oberlin Steel plays is primarily Soca and Calypso, in the tradition of steel bands from Trinidad and Tobago.

SOURCES CONSULTED

David Ebenbach, “The Oberlin Can Consortium Caught Steelin',” Oberlin Review, January 17, 1992, 7. .

Larry Rosenthal, 1981, “Can Consortium Steels Spotlight in Warner,” Oberlin Review, February 20, 1981, 4. https://cdm15963.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15963coll9/id/149465/rec/3.

Oberlin Steel, “Albums,” Oberlin Steel Pan, 2012. https://www2.oberlin.edu/stuorg/osteel/albums.html.

Oberlin Steelm "About Oberlin Steel," Oberlin Steel Pan, Accessed June 24, 2025. https://www.oberlinsteelpan.com/.

19/03/03/03 Oberlin Steel Records, Series 1 Correspondence, Other Correspondence, Oberlin College Archives.

19/03/03/03 Oberlin Steel Records, Series 5. Photographs, Oberlin College Archives.

Anne Woehrle, “Dance Band Made of Steel,” Oberlin Review, May 25, 1984, 13. https://cdm15963.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15963coll9/id/157943/rec/7.

Extent

2.31 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Series 1. Correspondence, 1987-2022

This series contains letters addressed to The Oberlin Can Consortium from various individuals and groups. Many of the letters from members and alumni include notes for future performances, potential musical arrangements, and commentary on the music they’re experiencing while abroad. There are letters from people expressing gratitude for the performances of Oberlin Steel, encouraging the group to come back and to perform again. Other correspondence relates to the organization of the group in the mid-eighties, providing advice for the direction Oberlin Steel should move in, and complimenting members on their musical skills.

Series 2. Financial Records, 1991-2012

This series contains the receipt for the purchase of new steel drums and other musical instruments, as well as the receipt for renting a truck to move the drums during tours.

Series 3. Printed Materials, 1991-2014

This series includes hand-drawn and printed flyers from Oberlin Steel performances in the nineties and early 2000s, highlighting the organization’s frequent shows on Oberlin’s campus. The series also includes clippings from the Oberlin Review containing articles with interviews of group members or reviews of past shows. There are applications to the ExCo dating from the early to mid 2000s and one syllabus from 2006. These show the dedication required to be a member of the group. There are brochures for the group from 2023 that explain the history of Oberlin Steel and the steel drum, and undated business cards as well. There is also printed material related to performances, including the itinerary for tours in the nineties and early 2000s, as well as a few papers with notes for performances. Lastly, there are programs from other related festivals that members of Oberlin Steel attended. It has been divided into two subseries: 1. General Printed Materials and 2. Printed Performance Materials.

Series 4. Audiovisual Files, 1986-2015

This series includes cassettes and CDs that were either recorded by Oberlin Steel or sent in by members and alum. All of Oberlin Steel’s recorded albums from 1988-2009 are included. This series also includes audio of performances and practices, both from the ExCo and the band. Many of the cassettes include steel drum music played by other musicians and collected by members of Oberlin Steel. Many of the cassettes and CDs are undated, and a few are also unnamed. The series has been divided into seven subseries: 1. OSteel Tapes, 2. Miscellaneous Tapes, 3. Unidentified Tapes, 4. VHS Camcorder Tapes, 5. OSteel CDs, 6. Miscellaneous CDs, and 7. Untitled CDs.

Series 5. Photographs & Videos 1986-2019

This series includes photographs and negatives of Oberlin Steel taken from 1986 to 2019. The photographs document the many performances Oberlin Steel has played across campus, within the Oberlin community, and at a variety of locations across the Midwest and east coast. The photographs were stored in multiple albums from specific school years or tours. There is also a scrapbook documenting a tour to Washington D.C, and black & white prints taken of the group in the late nineties and 2000s. Pages have been removed from their binders or albums, but all photographs have been kept in their original order and are grouped by album where applicable. The series has been divided into three subseries: 1. Photographic Prints and negatives, 2. Born Digital Photos, and 3. Videos.

Custodial History

The Oberlin Steel records were retrieved from Hales Gymnasium by Ken Grossi and Emily Rebmann on April 15, 2025. They were transferred to the Oberlin College Archives by members of Oberlin Steel.