View a clip of our tour to Aberdeen, Scotland. click here

MISSION:
Our vision incorporates the synergies of the following dynamics. To provide an opportunity for the voluntary continuation of a unique learning experience beyond the elementary school level. To strive for excellence in the performance of a challenging and diverse repertoire. To create an appreciation of the steelpan as a unique form of instrumentation and through expanding education and edification, evolve the sense of its diverse abilities. To foster discipline in the pursuit of musical achievement and to encourage group participation and teamwork. To act as cultural and goodwill ambassadors of the musical art form as well as our community sponsor(s).

HISTORY:
The Toronto All Stars Steel Orchestra (also known as T.A.S.S.O.) was born out of necessity in 2000 as, after graduating from Rosedale Public School, most of the students did not have steelpan offered at the schools they were moving to. Since the band’s inception it has grown to become one of the most exciting new musical ensembles in the city of Toronto as seen by its recent gold win at the Australian International Music Festival in Sydney which included 1,500 participants from 21 other groups from around the world. Today, the group is thirty members strong and they practice weekly and performing regularly. An amazing feat and noteworthy commitment when considering that they are between the ages of twelve and eighteen years of age and now attend upwards of ten different schools across the GTA.

At its inception, no one could have predicted the amazing evolution of the steelpan program at Rosedale Public School and its impact on the community. These musicians have racked up an impressive success rate in competition, consecutively winning the Kiwis Music Festival competition in their categories for a number of years to date. They have also performed at many of the prestigious and famous halls in Toronto, amongst them Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, Massy Hal, Roy Thompson Hall and the Leah Pollens Theatre. They have become a fixture at Rosedale Public School social functions, and have supported many charitable causes and community events, including the annual appreciation Pan at the Park concert (every first Sunday in June).

Among them, to name but a few; Ontario Premier's office, Sleeping Children around the World, served as entertainment at United Way conferences, Ontario Principals Council conferences, GE Canada, Scotiabank Toronto Marathon, Air Canada's Dreams Take Flight, Variety Village, Police Week at Nathan Phillips square and the Cabbage Town Parade.

In 2004, T.A.S.S.O. won the audition to represent Canada at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, which takes place in Scotland every summer. The Aberdeen Festival is a world-class event featuring 500 participants from 25 countries from around the world.

At this year’s 2007 Australian International Music Festival , T.A.S.S.O. boasted several firsts including being the first steel orchestra to participate in the 18 year history of the festival. Rosedale Public School,