In this edition:

1. Junior Steelband Festival
2. Pan Notes
3. Pan News
4. Pan Events

1. Junior Steelband Festival

Inspiring Creative Excellence

Arima Senior Comprehensive students perform at the last Junior Steelband Music Festival

The National Schools Steelband Music Festival is scheduled to begin on November 5th at various centers throughout Trinidad and Tobago. This year's festival is dedicated to the memory of the Lord Kitchener for his sterling contribution to our body of pan music. Aptly entitled "Inspiring Creative Excellence", the Schools Steelband Music Festival 2001 will encourage young persons throughout the nation to show their pan prowess for in three separate categories: Soloists (junior and senior), Ensembles (primary and secondary) and Orchestra (primary and secondary). The competition is open to two classes of participants from primary - (twelve years and under) and secondary schools (twenty years and under).

Festival 2001 will be judged in three rounds. The preliminary round will be adjudicated at the rehearsal venues of each participating band. Orchestras must be prepared to play for at least one hour for the judges in their rehearsal spaces. The semi final round will be adjudicated at venues to be announced by the Festival Committee and the finals are scheduled to take place at the Jean Pierre Complex.

Participants are expected to choose their selections from a list of rhythm and blues pieces provided by the organizing committee and the body of Lord Kitchener's pan music. The participants in the orchestra category will be expected to play two selections - the Test piece - a four-minute exposition of Lord Kitchener's calypsoes composed and arranged by Jit Samaroo and a Tune of Choice.

According to Festival Chairman, Teddy Belgrave "the response so far has been incredible with a total of sixty-five schools already registered to participate". The response from the secondary schools has already exceeded that of the last festival and crowd favourites, Arima Senior Comprehensive, South East P.O.S. Government and St. Augustine Senior Comprehensive have already registered, paving the way for an extremely keen contest.

In addition to the music, this year's organizers have added a fringe festival that includes competitions in the areas of creative writing, poetry, art and a school quiz. The fringe festival is also dedicated to the memory of the Lord Kitchener and is sponsored by Bp Trinidad and Tobago LLC. The Pan in Schools Coordinating Council has published a quiz booklet "A Tribute to the Lord Kitchener" that was researched and compiled by Ann-Marie Harry. The fringe festival, which is open to secondary schools, only, will run from October 8th to November 8th and the deadline for entries is October 1st.

Appearance fees for the core festival is $1000.00 for ensembles and $2,000.00 for orchestras and the top five secondary orchestras will receive $10,000.00 each. Additional prizes will be given for Best Test Piece, Best Tune of Choice and Best Junior Secondary Orchestra.

Ticket prices for the various events are yet to be determined but interested patrons are advised to call the festival secretariat at 868-623-0310.

2. Pan Notes     [back to top]

New on the shelf this month is "Echoes of Praise" (Sanch Electronix Limited- 2001) from the Arima Seventh-Day Seventh-Day Adventist Steel Orchestra (ASDASO) recorded live at the group's church in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago. This ensemble comprises of seventeen players who came together in the mid 1990s to fulfill their need to "render sacred music via the refreshing sound of steel". The Band is directed by Phillip Wellington, pans are blended by Patrick Worell and music arranged by Nervin Saunders.

"Echoes of Praise" is a compilation of fourteen gospel standards including "The Lord's Prayer", "Amazing Grace", "I'll Walk with God", "The Hallelujah Chorus" and "How Great Thou Art".

The music is relaxing, a source of inspiration and expands the musical ministry through the medium of the steel pan. According to Pastor Steve Riley, this project realizes the wish to have sacred themes immortalized through the scintillating sound of steel and serve to remind the listener "everything that has breath can praise the Lord".

Persons interested in getting a copy can contact the Marketing Department of Trinidad and Tobago Instruments 868-627-0185 or Sanch Electronics at 868-663 -1384.

3. Pan News     [back to top]

Ace pannist, Noel La Pierre launched his debut cd - "Waterflow" at the Chancellor Hotel on September 28th 2001. (see May edition of Panland News for cd review) The small audience of media, corporate sponsors and well-wishers were treated to a stellar performance by La Pierre and his band of select pieces from the cd. "Waterflow" is available to corporate sponsors at a special rate of $65.00 TT and retails at $105.00 TT. Persons interested in obtaining the cd should contact La Pierre at 868-628-7979 or TTIL's Marketing Department at 868-627-0185.

4. Pan Events     [back to top]

Pan on the Park

Pan Trinbago continues its Friday evening limes at Victoria Park, Port of Spain. Solo Pan Knights and Samaroo Jets are scheduled to perform on October 5th. Following this performance, the organizers have planned a series of "Parang and Steel" limes in keeping with the upcoming Christmas season, until December. Ticket prices are $20.00 per person or $10.00 for Pan Trinbago members. Persons interested in finding out more information can call the Pan Trinbago secretariat at 868-623-4486.

Pan on the Vidalia Piazza

October is the month to relish in a festive mood and the Hotel Normandie has a sumptuous fare of steel orchestras to satisfy the appetite of every pan lover.
October 6th - Silver Stars Steel Orchestra
October 13th - Starlift Steel Orchestra
October 20th - Fonclaire Steel Orchestra
October 27th - Merry Tones Steel Orchestra

Dinner and entertainment is priced at $125.00 and the show only is $30.00 (seating based on availability). Show time is 7.30 p.m. Interested parties are invited to call 868-624-1181 for more information.

Pan Royale

The QRC foundation will host their annual fund raising event for the school on October 20th 2001. This year's event will feature four of the best steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago, who will each, perform for forty minutes. Participating bands include Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove, Witco Desperadoes, Exodus and Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars. Each orchestra has developed a full set, complete with guest artistes. Phase 11's set will feature reigning calypso monarch, Denyse Plummer; Exodus' will include Black Stalin, Francis Prime, Mavis John and Pelham Goddard and All Stars will feature past Young Calypso King, Sheldon Reid. Mungal Patessar's eclectic ensemble, Pantar is also scheduled to perform.

Tickets are priced at $100.00 and the foundation spokesperson, Ainsley Mark, has indicated that the show which is scheduled to begin at 8.00 p.m. will be finished by 11.30 p.m. All the proceeds from the show will be donated to the school. Interested parties are invited to contact Mr. Mark at 868-624-4569.