Harper College

Paul Ross

Adjunct Faculty in Percussion
Steel Drum Band

pross@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6568
Building P, Room P206

Paul Ross is founder and leader of the Midwest's most accomplished professional steel band, Pan Go. and holds a Master of Music in Steel Pan and a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from Northern Illinois University. A prolific composer, Paul's collection of original compositions for steel band and steel pan solo are available from his publishing company Pan Press, Inc..

In 1987 he founded the Elgin Community College Steel Band program. While at ECC he composed prolifically for steel band, writing 35 original pieces and arranging close to 100 others. In 1998 Paul produced "Full Circle," the ECC Steel Band's first CD, which included 3 of his compositions and a commissioned work by Trinidad steel pan legend Ray Holman.

Paul has been directing the Harper College Steel Bands since the spring of 1998. During that time Harper's advanced steel band has become one of the finest community steel bands in the nation. They have specialized in premiering new works for steel band.

Paul has made three trips to Trinidad and Tobago, the home of the steel band, to perform in Panorama and the first World Steel Band Festival. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Chicago's Orchestra Hall, Carnegie Hall, and on tour in Germany and Switzerland.

Last Updated: 4/8/24