It is common to see young adults to older adults, as opposed to teenagers and youth, in community steel pan orchestras. This is an opportunity for color coated steel coil the Pan enthusiasts to gather on a weekly basis not for competition, but simply for the love of playing the steel pan. Many participants in the community orchestras comment on the sheer joy they get from playing steel pan in a large group of twenty to forty people. Though these groups often have many members, there may be one experienced steel pan player that leads and rehearses the community orchestra. There are also community bands that grew out of smaller individual groups.

It is also common for community bands to host regional steel pan festivals. Orchestras from all around the region get together in a non-competitive, festive atmosphere and play steel pan for each other. Music programs in schools from elementary to university level are also embracing the steel drum.

In the United States, a recent phenomenon has been the formation of many large steel drum orchestras that serve as not-for-profit community institutions that are also dedicated to serving and uplifting economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. While the strikingly beautiful sound of the steel pan draws participants from all ages and races, the core of most of these orchestras are youth and teenagers who feel cultural pride in being able to express music on the steel drum instrument which was recently developed by peoples whose heritage they are closely related to.

Consistent hard work is required to produce the professional sounding results necessary for them to compete in steel band competitions, yet the bands often also provide academic, cultural, mentoring, and social activities to their youthful members. The Steel Drum Movement has been vital to transforming the lives of many of color steel sheet these youth by offering a positive, disciplined, drug-free environment on a daily basis to itsparticipants. In the United States, many people have begun to develop an appreciation for the steel drum. For these people, there are not-for-profit community orchestras.