About TCSBA
The Tri-Cities Steel Band Association (TCSBA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in West Richland, Washington. We promote world music in the Mid-Columbia region through education and music performance. The organization currently sponsors three performance bands: two steeldrum bands (OK2Botay and Bram Bratá) and a new marimba band (‘Bahuru). TCSBA conducts instructional classes on steeldrum and marimba year round, including intensive summer classes geared for students of varying abilities.
The association began as an idea of a few parents of Kid Calypso (a steel band at Tapteal Elementary School) players in the spring of 1996 when the school district was resistant to the idea of opening a steel band program at the middle and high school levels. Seeing that their children would soon have no opportunity to continue developing their steeldrum skills as they moved on from elementary school, this handful of persistent parents decided to sponsor a community-based steeldrum band, Bram Bratá. A second steeldrum band, OK2Botay, was added in 1998. In 2008 we expanded into Zimbabwean marimba music, adding the ‘Bahuru performing marimba band. Our bands routinely perform throughout the Pacific Northwest and have played in Hawaii, Disneyland, Sea World and other venues.
TCSBA is governed by an Executive Board elected annually by the organization members. Our current exectutive board members are:
Scott Maple, President
Ted and Bonnie Tanasse, Vice Presidents
Secretary, Liz Taylor
Treasurer, Beth Wasemiller
Past President, Eric Lipp