All Ages Welcome!
We’ve had members from ages 8 to 88 performing at the same time!
Completely Free!
No part of Tin Cups costs money. We’ll actually pay you for every performance!
No experience required!
Many of our members joined Tin Cups with no musical experience at all!
2025 Pan-ing Zoo
Think you might be interested? Come try out the instruments at the 2025 Pan-ing Zoo (like petting zoo, but pan. It’s a pun, get it?). The Pan-ing Zoo is our season kickoff where everyone who is interested is welcome to come rehearse with us and get a sense of what the group is like. By the end of the evening, participants will be able to play a whole tune together as a steel drum band! If you try it out and want to keep going, that’s great! You can come back next week and keep playing. If you decided it’s not for you this year, no worries! There’s no pressure to return.
This year’s Pan-ing Zoo will take place on May 14th, 2025 from 6-8:30 PM at 300 Industrial Blvd NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413.
Our Rehearsal Space
Northeast College Prep | 300 Industrial Blvd NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
We are located in the basement / garage level. You cannot access our space through the school’s main entrance on Industrial. Turn off of Industrial onto Winter, and drive towards the back parking lot. Park as close to the back (large) garage door as you can. The large garage door and/or the service door will be opened prior to all rehearsals and performances.
What can you expect from us?
Support
- We’ll provide you with everything you need to perform (instruments, music, audio files, uniforms)
- Minimum of $25 pay per performance after the first three. All earnings are paid at the end of the season.
- Carpooling is coordinated for local gigs and group transportation is provided for gigs farther away.
- Need help learning the instrument or just want to get better? Feel free to reach out to the director or other members of your section for helpful tips and guidance.
Opportunity
- Because of the limited space on our parade trailer, not everyone can perform at every parade, but we’ll strive to provide every member with the most opportunities to perform possible.
- Looking to get involved in additional ways? Reach out to the director for guidance on how you can grow and contribute to the ongoing success of Tin Cups and the pan programs at Chops, Inc.
Community
- As a member, you’ll be part of a community of supportive, like-minded musicians.
- Many of our members choose to grab drinks and food after rehearsals and performances. We are partnered with Insight Brewing (next door to NECP), so Tin Cups members get $2 off every drink!
Communication
- Any new performances will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed. This is usually at least one month before the performance.
- All details surrounding a performance will be available in its calendar event and in the parade itinerary folder in the Member Resources drive folder.
- An email will be sent at the start of each week with rehearsal goals and performance details for that week.
Season Overview
The Tin Cups season runs from mid-May to early September with weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings and around 12 parades throughout the summer. Parades generally occur on Friday evenings and weekends. Tin Cups also participates in a concert with the Pan-Handlers Steel Drum Band in August for the Chops, Inc. Day of Pan event. Following that event, we have a few weeks off from rehearsals and performances before our last parade.
Our first rehearsal of the year takes place on Wednesday, May 14th. All rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 6:00-8:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Our final performance of the year takes place on Sunday, September 7th at the Defeat of Jesse James Days parade in Northfield, MN.
What do we expect from you?
Commitment
- It is not expected, nor is it possible for every member to attend every performance, but we ask that active members participate in a majority of rehearsals and performances.
- As with any musical ensemble, we expect you to put in practice time outside of rehearsals and performances. If you are struggling with any of the music, please reach out and ask for help.
- Participation in a parade requires attendance at the rehearsal prior to the performance.
Communication
- If you are going to be absent from a rehearsal, please let the director know at least a day in advance.
- If you are going to be absent from a performance you planned to attend, email the director ASAP.
- If you are running more than five minutes late to a performance, text the director your ETA.
- The director will send a roster out for upcoming performances at the beginning of each week. If your name on the roster has a question mark next to it, please reply to confirm your attendance ASAP.
Contribution
- Our parade trailer requires all hands on deck to set up and tear down. Be prepared to help in any way that you can. If you don’t know what you need to be doing, ask the director or another member.
- All members are expected to help set up and clean up our space before and after rehearsals. We will go over how to do this during the first few rehearsals.
