Feb. is full of holidays and special traditions: Valentine’s day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Groundhog day, President’s weekend and leap day.  Steel drums is celebrating one February holiday a little early: Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is known also as “Fat Tuesday”. It is the day before Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and preparing for Lent in the Catholic Community.

Although it originates from Medieval Europe, New Orleans is  specifically known for having a huge festival, parade and parties that can occur up to two weeks before Ash Wednesday.

Students such as senior Aaron Chu are eager to be able to celebrate this holiday in their own unique way at the steel drums concert.

“We want to show the work we’ve done so far this year to our family and friends,” Chu said. “We have put in a lot of hours and time into the material we learned for the concert.”

This concert is for all to enjoy and celebrate this holiday with music. Students will also have free admission with an ID.

“I hope the SMCHS community gains more about the versatility of the steel drum instruments,” Chu said. “Even though people may typically think a steel drum instrument is used to play reggae and island music, it can be used to play various genres of music.”

To prepare, the steel drums class has put in many hours of preparation for the types of music they are playing.

“We’ve prepared for our concert during class every day,” Chu said. “We come into class with a lot of energy every day and that energy can translate into the music that we play.”

Chu’s favorite part of this concert was simply just playing music. For Chu, he has played instruments since he was little but it is more fun with his friends and teachers.

“I’ve learned to expand upon different skills in music through steel drums since Freshman year,” Chu said. “I never thought I would do this all four years and I get to play and enjoy it.”