In this edition:

1. Laventille Steelband Festival 2002
2. Steelpans in T&T Classrooms
3. Arima Fest 2002
4. Tuning Tours
5. Steelpan Tuning Course
6. Pan News:
   Port of Pan
   Liam Teague: The King of Pan

1. Laventille Steelband Festival 2002

The Laventille Steelband Festival 2002 ended on August 14th 2002 with a Street Parade featuring several of the nation's top steelbands. Eighteen (18) bands inclusive of single pan and bamboo-bamboo paraded in front of the largest crowd to attend the event.

Bands that participated from outside the Laventille were Pamberi, Starlift and Woodbrook Playboyz. Among those which performed from the Laventille area were National Panorama Champs, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Witco Desperadoes, BP Renegades, Courts Laventille Sound Specialists, Harmonites, Blue Diamonds, Harmonics, Laventille Rhythm Section, Free Lancers Pan Groove, X-Press 21, Ebonites and Harlem Syncopaters.

All Stars attracted a crowd as they moved along the Eastern Main Road

The Youthful Harlem Syncopators on the move

A member of the Laventille Rhythm Section in full flight

Events that Preceeded the Street Festival

Laventille Pan Pioneers Workshop: August 2002
Angostura Glass Room

The Workshop targeted steelband management personnel from bands in the Laventille community and was opened to the national steelband fraternity. The workshop went into its second phase this year and its objective was to continue in the improvement of management and the marketing of steelbands.

Topics that were presented at the workshop were; The Global Industry of the Steelpan, The Organisational and Management of the Steelband, The Business and Operating of the Steelband, Human Resources in the Steelband Industry, Financial Competencies of operating a Steelband and Administrative concerns affecting the steelbands.

Steelpan Camp: July 29th - August 2nd 2002
Laventille Community Complex

The camp attracted over fifty- (50) students between the ages of 7 - 17 frorn schools in the Laventille area and environs. The camp touched on different aspects of the steelpan, which included History & Development, Music & Performance, Careers in Pan and Pan Making. The camp aimed at improving the students' knowledge of the steelpan, identifying and generating an interest in careers in the steelpan industry, improving the image of pan and maintaining the primacy of the Laventille area in pan production and innovation.

Pan Yard Concerts: July 24th - July 28th, 2002
Various Pan Yards

The concerts targeted both the Conventional and Traditional bands in the Laventille area, and was held at the bands respective pan yards. The concerts were held on a nightly basis to accommodate all the bands within the community. The bands all provided entertainment to pan lovers and left most of them quite filled and satisfied with the rhythmic sounds of our steelpans.

2. Steelpan in T&T Classrooms

The "Pan in The Classroom" project, launched by the Education Ministry in collaboration with Pan Trinbago and the "Pan in Schools" co-ordinating council is designed to deal with the many talents of children in schools today, according to Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education - Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Janet Stanley-Marcano. Dr. Stanley Marcano delivered the feature address on behalf of the Education Minister Hazel Manning.

The Pan in the Classroom Project will provide opportunities for students to develop a practical knowledge of music and the skills that can form the basis for further studies in teaching, performing, conducting or composing/arranging the music business and other music-related fields.

The Programme was specially designed as officials of the Ministry felt that students' involvement with the steelpan, should extend beyond extra-circular activities, but also exposing them to the teaching of the steelpan in an academic setting where music literacy/music history, the sociology of pan and the history of the pan movement. It was agreed that no longer must the playing of this music phenomenal be perceived by youngsters simply as an exercise in the development of psyco-motor skills but also as a means of enhancing creativity, improving students self esteem and development social skills.

Steelbands will be placed in twelve (12) schools, including the ten constructed under the Secondary Education Modernisation Programme (SEMP) Programme. Thirty-six (36) teachers are to be trained and placed in these schools.

3. Arima Fest 2002     [back to top]

Woodbrook Playboyz copped its second consecutive "Pan on the Move" competition Title at Arima Fest 2002.

Delivering a polished performance of the Mighty Sparrow "Doh Back Back" in the calypso category and "I Can't Stop Loving You," in for the non-calypso segment, the band scored a total of 529 points.

With its honourary member Brian Kuei Tung (left) leading the way to the competition point at Arima-Fest, accomplanies by Keron Valentine musical director, members of Woodbrook Playboyz had the crowd in a frency as the band belted out sweet melodies.

They were among eleven (11) of the fifteen (15) Single Pan Bands scheduled to compete, before the panel of adjucticators comprising Ezra Joseph, Jeanette Johnson and David Daddle.

For their effort Playboyz took home the cash purse of $7,000.00. Coming in second (2nd) place playing "Maharagin & Perfida" was San Juan East Side Symphony, which gathered 520 points and collected $5,000.00 for its efforts.

4. Tuning Tours      [back to top]

TTIL recently completed two tuning tours to customers in the US and Jamaica.

In May 2002 TTIL serviced instruments of several customers in the US among whom was Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA.

Also in more than eight (8) steelbands/ensembles were serviced in Jamaica by TTIL personal. These included the Edna Manley School of Music and schools, churches and community based groups.

TTIL personnel is scheduled to visit Japan in early July to make available to owners of our products the very best service. This is an annual visit which co-ordinated through Nonaka Boeki Co. Ltd. The exclusive distributor for TTIL products in Japan.

A similar visit is being planned for the United Kingdom this year.

5. Steelpan Tuning Course     [back to top]

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steelband has established its pedigree among the best of Trinidad and Tobago in recent years and has been promoting the steelpan internationally and locally as a versatile musical instrument easily used in all genres of music including Marching Bands.

The pressing need to have a resident tuner for the band's extensive itinerary has led to the requirement for comprehensive training of personnel in this very rare skill.

Mr. Jason Holder, a pannist of many years who joined the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force two years ago was selected for specialised training in steelpan construction, tuning and blending to fill this need.

Mr. Holder began a two-year full time comprehensive tuner-training program at the factory facilities of TTIL in January 2002 and is well on his way to becoming a fully accredited and competent pan tuner on completion in December 2003.

The program includes complete instruction and assessment at various stages of pan construction and tuning, music literacy, metallurgy and is based on practical execution of steelpan production techniques as well as blending of band instruments, according to the proven successful high quality standards of TTIL.

The program demonstrates the maturity of TTIL's manufacturing process and specifications and its capability in providing a first class training environment, which continues to produce the steelpan tuners of the future.

Jason Holder in tuning training

6. Pan News     [back to top]

Port of Pan - "Throw ah eye on de pan"

Trinidad has given birth to the life of pan and has taken care of it to its maturity. Jesse Andrews is playing his part in helping to present the story of this art form in beautiful poems to the world.

"Port of Pan - Throw ah eye on the Pan," contains a number of stories of life in Trinidad wrapped around the growth, the struggle, the life and expressions of the steelpan beautifully told by Jesse in poetic form. His vision of the true "port " of pan is in the soul of a nation that created the Pan and so the imagery of his pan poems reaches the soul of pan lovers all over the world.

There are many benefits that will come from this project. First there is an acknowledgement of the many whose stories have given inspiration and which have been told in poetic form. Recognition of their story gives them meaning and influence and the opportunity for the writer to spread his wings in verse.

Additionally I am certain that people will enjoy the poems and learn much about the steelpan form and life in Trinidad. It us through his story telling that this poet has begun to help to create a common steelpan culture and share in a sense of a growing community and the need for us to "throw ah eye on de pan."

"Port of Pan" is a body of work that should find a home in the education system and as a source of study, debate, reflection and enjoyment for readers now and of generations to come.

TTIL wishes to inform all its well wishers to be a part of this beautiful experience and purchase this wonderful book.

For more information contact Mr. Jesse Andrews at portofpan@hotmail.com. Or at

5 - 2755 Windwood Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
65N 208
CANADA

An extract from TRINIDAD, PORT OF PAN - one of the many poems in the book "Port of Pan - Throw ah eye on de pan"

"Port of Spain, Port of Spain"
Are you insane?
I'm not a Port of Spain.
Listen up, Trinidad and Tobago
Don't treat your culture so
Its time for Spain to go.
Am synonyms with pan
So pass a name change legislation
Call me Port of Pan.

Liam Teague - The King of Steelpan

Trinidad and Tobago's very own Liam Teague is starring once more…read and learn how Liam had hundreds of people entranced by his talent with yet another one of his very dynamic steelpan performances at a concert held in Panama on Friday June 7th, 2002.

The following is based on an article printed in a Panamanian magazine in July 2002 – a mere two weeks after the concert.

The musical soul of the people broke unimaginable boundaries, and so much more when one culture fused with another, in a brotherhood between nations. This is the case of Liam Teague, born in the island of Trinidad and Tobago who, from the age of 12, felt a great passion for a musical instrument hardly known in its region. Motivated by a concern emanating perhaps from his spiritual concern, with effort and dedication, he learned to play the instrument, until he became one of the most renowned players of this musical genre.

This is a steelpan, an instrument like a steel drum, whose melodies ring out the main emotions of the soul, in a flow of joy and pain are sounded, in those who hear them.

CAPACITY. Teague's talent seems to be limitless. This was demonstrated while he was accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra and their maestro Jorge Ledezma, in the concert entitled, "Symphony and Steel", which took off on Friday June 7th, 2002 at the Balboa Theatre, Panama. Those who attended melted with enthusiasm, as the joy and energy of the mix of rhythms surged through them, which rang thundering applause from the beginning to the finale of the presentation.

Thanks to the skill, of his agile hands, his enjoyment flowed through the steel drum. Liam played from a salsa beat mixed with calypso and jazz, to reggae from Bob Marley, the greatest legend of this beautiful art, arising from the Tropical Caribbean.

Within the agenda of activities, the Trinidadian also held a demonstrative workshop geared towards explaining and passing on qualities and musical heights of this instrument to all those interested. The session was open and free to all interested, especially for musicians, fans and music students. The enthusiasm of those in attendance was obvious, so much that in addition to getting to find out about and know this rare instrument, they were able to enjoy the musical sights of this culture.

RARE INSTRUMENT. In reality, steelpan is a mental recipient transformed into an instrument of different ranges of sizes and contours. Apt to play different notes of the chromatic scale. Not having the smoothness of an instrument into a base of steel and wood, the steelpan has more so the strength and ruddiness of a steel drum

Which emits sweet sound that cause one to think that he is listening to musical interpretation of a clamorous piano. Its execution at all angles is difficult, although any instrument poses a challenge at the beginning, and only with love for music, one can realise the desired harmonies.

ORIGINS Although the exact date of its origin is quite unclear, and its invention cannot be placed to any one person in particular, it is known that the instrument rose from the ghettos of Port – of – Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. The steelpan is the only acoustic instrument that was invented in the Twentieth Century and now it is studied in prestigious universities around the world, especially in the US. This is one of the leading instruments of this century, even though it is so young and not everyone knows of its potential. Furthermore, it is capable of emitting all the sounds that can be incorporated, playing the twelve known notes in the scale.

In spite of not being familiar with this metal drum, we Panamanians feel very proud of our society, which comprises and amalgamation of races that allow our Isthmus to be the place for the participation of diverse cultural and musical currents.