"Tracy Thornton has been the featured Guest Artist at our Steel Band Festival 'Panstock' for the past five years. His enthusiasm, expertise and creativity have lead to an increase in the level of musicianship and success of my steel drum ensemble. My students eagerly await his arrival each year and I have enjoyed programming his original compositions on our concerts. If you are looking for a clinician or a guest artist, I would highly recommend that you contact Tracy Thornton."

- Jeffrey E. Phillips

Steel Band Director: New Philadelphia City Schools

 

 

"Tracy’s energetic and engaging teaching style coupled with his unique compositional style is quickly making him one of the premier clinicians in the U.S. I highly recommend him."

-Alan Coyle: Master Steelpan Builder and Tuner, Owner of Coyle Drums

 

 

"I have had the pleasure of working with Tracy on several occasions.  He has worked with my high school band as well as mass bands that I have been a part of.   His energy is infectious!  Tracy will bring out all of the best qualities your band has to offer.  Tracy's tunes are a blast to play and very accessible for intermediate level bands.  If you want to bring in a guest artist your students won't soon forget, then Tracy is your guy!" 

-Ed Leborgne: 

Walnut Hills High School,Cincinnati,OH 

 

 

"I can't tell you enough about how grateful I am for you, your music, and your playing with our students.  You were terrific in every way for this whole event from beginning to end.  I am recommending you to everyone I know for any kind of concert, clinic, and event. 

Our students are in such a great mind set for our program after having worked with you.  You were extremely easy to work with and made so many significant points to our students.  We all learned a lot.    Your music is terrific, fun to play, and has great elements of complexity and simplicity for the listener and the performer. I have loved teaching it all year.  You helped us accomplish goals that I had for the group starting last Spring after the last Carnival of Steel.  I am more than grateful to Shelly for recommending you and helping to make it all happen."

-Derrick Logozzo, MM. Perf.

Co-Coordinator of MusicDirector of Instrumental Music, Richland Wind Symphony, Percussion Group, & Steel Bands

Professor of Percussion & Drum Set

Carnival of Steel Festival Host

Auditions and Workshops Coordinator

Dallas, TX

 

 

 

"Tracy Thornton took my steel band on an incredible journey to Trinidad in June 2012. Our students got an experience of a lifetime because of Tracy's long standing, family-like relationship with the most influential Pan people in Trinidad. The session with the National Steel Symphony Orchestra was unforgettable. The performance he arranged for us was attended by a member of Trinidad's national government and he even lined up instruments for us so we did not have to bring pans all the way from Canada. His close connection to the people and the land opened doors for us that I don't think anyone else could have done. I can not stress enough how invaluable Tracy Thornton is to our steel band. His deep roots and strong ties in Trinidad will result in life changing experiences for any band that is fortunate enough to experience Trinidad and Tobago with Tracy Thornton. That is why we never tour overseas without him (Japan, Hawaii, Trinidad & Tobago, England, The Netherlands and in the coming year, Hong Kong)."

-Adam Mason and the University of Lethbridge Global Drums Steel Band

Alberta, Canada

 

 

 

Tracy you have a gift, as a musician, an arranger and composer and most of all, your ability to make each and every student feel special.  Thanks for all you do.

-Mike Horan

Kegionga Middle School, Fort Wayne, In

 

 

 

Tracy is always great. His energy seems to have no end and he is incredibly capable giving your students a clear picture of what can be achieved with even a few hours of hard work.

-Tracey Whorton

Steel Band Director @ Urban Pathways, Pittsburgh, PA

 

 

 

"I have known and worked with Tracy for over 19 years  He is an amazing clinician!  He has shared his expertise as a clinician and soloist at several of my festivals and in-school workshops. Tracy's has a unique ability to relate with students on different levels. He inspires the student he works with and they beg to have him come back. You want a Great clinician? Tracy is your man! You and your students will love him!"

-Marta Wetzel

Music Educator/Music Festival Organizer

National Trail, Ohio

 

 

"Tracy Thornton has been the guest artist at the Ohio Valley Festival of Steel for the last five years bringing a high level of energy, professionalism and musicianship to our event.  Mr. Thornton is a great player, but more importantly he is a great person with a personable approach with the students.  Both his prepared and improvised solos are amazing and he continues to be a tremendous source of inspiration for our young musicians, directors and audience alike.

Additionally, the students love his innovative compositions and arrangements which always provide great variety and entertainment value to the festival.  In my book, Tracy is definitely on the short list of talented steel pan guest artists available today."

-Shelly Irvine

Master Steelpan Tuner and Builder

 

 

"I have worked and performed with Tracy Thornton at various pan clinics and festivals for many years now, and I have no hesitation in recommending him as one of the top pan players and teachers in the world. I have observed him consistently develop a fantastic rapport with students and directors of bands he's worked with. He has a wonderful positive energy about him that's infectious and can lift a concert from being good to being great. His easy going, professional manner makes him a pleasure to work with, and I always look forward to seeing him again whenever our paths cross."

-Steve Lawrie

Owner at Pantuner.Com, maker of the world's finest steeldrums