The Super Steel Band Bursary Fund
This fund supports post-secondary music students with an annual bursary and preserves the legacy of the Super Steel Band, ensuring future opportunities for young musicians.
Known as the Lancaster Kiwanis Steel Band in the 70’s, the Super Steel Band was a popular act at many local events and provided musical experiences for dozens of young musicians over the years. The Board has established a permanent fund to help post-secondary music students with an annual $1,000 bursary.
Chris Cook, treasurer of the band’s board, says that local talent will continue to be nurtured, regardless of the post-secondary institution’s location, “We have also provided for the possible future reincarnation of a steel band in the agreement and financial support for it.”
Community Foundation chairman, Lino Celeste, praised the Lancaster Kiwanis Club, the original patrons of the Lancaster Kiwanis Steel Band, “Service clubs like the Lancaster Kiwanis are a valuable asset to our community.
Our foundation has shown our appreciation for all the work they contribute to our quality of life,” he commented.
The sixty-one, high-quality hand-crafted drums required special skills to create and were purchased in the mid-80’s to replace the earlier pans when Mr. Smith and Bob Scott took on a search for the best instruments.
Rather than break up the collection, the Super Steel Board are hopeful a local volunteer, with music experience, will come forward to revitalize the Caribbean sound in its entirety.
“We would like nothing better than to find someone who could breathe new life into the pans and create a great experience for a group of budding young musicians,” says President Janice Dickson.
The board of directors of Saint John Super Steel Inc., which for seventeen years has overseen a local steel band for youth, established a $21,000 fund in December of 2002, The Super Steel Band Bursary Fund, with The Greater Saint John Community Foundation.
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More funds
The Jack, Lois, and Cindy Kidd Bursaries Fund provides a generous four-year bursary program for local high school graduates attending UNB-Saint John. The fund aims to encourage students to remain in Greater Saint John.
The Michael Saunders Bursary Fund, established in 2023, supports a Harbour View High School student pursuing a trade program at any NBCC Campus.
The Dr. Jose Ledezma Memorial Bursary Fund supports students from Greater Saint John in the Nurse Practitioner Primary Health Care Program at the University of New Brunswick, honoring Dr. Ledezma’s legacy as a dedicated physician and mentor.
The Kiwanian Norman Hicks Memorial Bursary Fund supports Greater Saint John high school graduates pursuing post-secondary education, honoring long-time Kiwanian Norman Hicks’ legacy of community service.