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December 2001 - Christmas Issue In this edition:
This year can only be described as a pantastic one for the pan industry of Trinidad and Tobago. 2001 will be remembered for an increase in the number of pan performances and pan festivals, training and research initiatives, and the formulation of new policies for re-structuring major components of the pan industry. The year started off on a high note, with the National Panorama, and this momentum was maintained throughout the year both in terms of the quality and quantity of shows throughout the island. There were a number of festivals in various parts of the country such as, the Point Fortin Borough Day, Couva's Sugar and Energy Festival, the Arima Borough Day, St. James' "We Beat" and the Laventille Steelband Festival. These festivals were augmented with weekly pan performances at hotels, pubs and pan theatres throughout the capital. Pan Trinbago also initiated its weekly live programme - "Pan in the Park" which sought to provide a performance outlet for the single and conventional bands, outside the traditional Carnival season. A brave new attempt at training panists was initiated by the National Steel Orchestra in conjunction with the College of Science and Technology of Trinidad and Tobago. The Associates Degree in Performing Arts began in September and will run for a period of two and a half years. All members of the National Steel Orchestra are participating. In addition, the Laventille Steelband Festival (LSF) featured two additional components to its programme that were aimed at the children and adults within the pan fraternity. The LSF pan camp sought to expose children to various aspects of pan history, pan music and pan performance, while the Steelband Management Workshop exposed adults to the various aspects of marketing and managing a steel band. The national community also engaged in very lively and meaningful discussions on re-structuring the policies and programmes that govern the pan industry. Prompted by a concept paper by Professor Lloyd Best, the "Schools in Pan" (SIP) initiative was warmly received by Pan Trinbago, the Ministry of Culture and pan lovers alike. "Schools in Pan" is a blue print for catalyzing pan as the vehicle for social and economic development at the level of communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago. A research team is currently working out the ways in which the concepts identified in the paper can be deepened and operationalised. One of the suggestions from the Schools in Pan paper - the restructuring of the Panorama - will bear fruit from as early as 2002. The preliminaries of the upcoming Panorama will be judged in pan yards throughout Trinidad and Tobago. This new approach will cut down on the astronomical costs of transporting over fifty steel orchestras to two central locations in the North and the South of the island. But more importantly, the pan yard activity will afford many pan sides with the opportunity to upgrade their locations, create income for local entrepreneurs and will bring pan directly back to the people. Most recently, a new site for a performance centre was identified and the lease handed over to the national pan body. Although the funds for building have not yet been earmarked, there is no doubt that a pan theatre, once established, will be a major catalyst in realizing the economic and social benefits of pan to the pan fraternity in particular and the national community in general. In the meantime, Trinidad and Tobago Instruments Limited (TTIL) continues to play its part in growing markets for the pan in the region and further afield. This year, a major distribution agreement was signed with Nonaka Boeki from Japan that promises to grow the market for pan in Asia. Similar initiatives are being explored with agents in Latin and Central America. Attention has also been paid to product development. The piti pan was further developed for regional markets and a cd play-a-long booklet, "Melodies for the Mini C Pan" was launched in January 2001. TTIL also maintains a significant role in pan developmental activities through its co-ordination of the Laventille Steelband Festival (LSF). TTIL welcomes the pan activity at the various levels of policy, programmes,
research, training and performances. It is our hope that these are sustained,
improved and implemented during the upcoming year to the benefit of national
and international communities of pan.
2. Pan News [back to top] Caribbean Panorama 2001 Trinidad and Tobago maintains pan supremacy at the First Caribbean Panorama Following on the heels of the First World Steelband Festival that was held in Trinidad and Tobago in October 2000, the Caribbean Steelpan Association (Caripan) hosted the first regional Panorama, which took place on December 1st 2001 in the spice-island of Grenada. Nine countries from the region participated in this first initiative, including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Antigua, Jamaica, Guyana, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Originally scheduled to take place in Panama, the show had to be re-located to Grenada because of logistical problems. The first regional Panorama was organized by a Management Committee that was entrusted with the mandate of ensuring the show was both an economic and artistic success. Led by Keith Byer, the Vice President of Pan Trinbago, this committee had the arduous task of raising $80,000.00 U.S. through sponsorship and gate receipts. The prizes were quite substantial and guaranteed participation of the region's best steel band orchestras. The prizes include $20,000.00 for the top band, $15,000.00 for the second place winner and $10,000.00 for the third place. All other bands are to be paid appearance fees of $5,000.00. Trinidad and Tobago was represented by two of their top orchestras, reigning Panorama champions Exodus, and nine-time Panorama champions, Witco Desperadoes. Exodus thrilled the audience with their wining Panorama tune "A Happy Song" and "Bailamos". Both selections appear on their latest CD "The Power and the Glory". Witco Desperadoes placed second with their spirited rendition of a crowd favourite "Rebecca" and the classic "Love is a Many Splendored Thing". Caripan was formed in October 1999 and its main objective is bringing together Caribbean people through the steel pan with the view of strengthening the common cultures within the region. Mr. Patrick Arnold, who is also the President of Pan Trinbago, leads Caripan's executive team. Persons interested in finding out more about Caripan and the entire report on the results, are invited to visit their website at www.caripan.net or to email them at admin@pantrinbago.co.tt. RESULTS Panorama 1. Exodus - Trinidad and Tobago - "Happy Song" - 274
pts. Bomb Competition 1. Exodus - Trinidad and Tobago - "Bailamos" 269 pts. After 38 Years... The judging for the National Panorama Competition 2002 will take place in the panyards of competing bands or in their chief catchment area. A decision taken at a general meeting where steelbandsmen voted much to the surprise but contentment of a Trinbago's executive to break with the thirty-eight (38) year old tradition - which begun in 1963 - of judging the preliminary round of Panorama in the "Big Yard" Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Venue for the assembly incidentally, was the National Carnival Commission Club House, Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain where panmen reached this accord on the contentious issue, after months of deliberation. In an interview, Richard Forteau, Secretary of Pan Trinbago said, "We could not continue in the manner that we have become accustomed." Panorama started in 1963 and back then fourteen (14) bands or so had entered and crossed the Savannah Stage. Today, we have over one hundred (100) contestants and to have them all come to the Savannah was not sensible from a business perspective. Pan Trinbago is already in discussions with members of the corporate community with respect to sponsorship for the improved programme. Focus is now being paid to the advertising dollar. They are nor exploring one-day sponsorship, rather, seasonal sponsorship with particular attention given to un-sponsored steelbands. But in the end all steelbands would benefit. Mr. Forteau explained that when Panorama 2002 begins, bands must not
simply sit in the pan yards and await the judges. They could now incorporate
other performing acts for the show and engage in the sale of merchandise. Junior Schools Music Festival El Dorado thrills at the finals of School's Music Festival The finals of the Schools Junior Steelband Music Festival took place at the Jean Pierre Complex on Friday November 30th, 2001. Six primary schools and four secondary schools participated in the finals that were adjudicated by Dr. Ann Marion Osbourne, Jessel Murray and Harold Headley. In the primary category, Newtown Girls RC emerged easy winners over their competitors who included, Sacred Heart Girls RC, Febeau Government, Diego Martin Boys RC, and San Juan Boys. In the secondary schools, El Dorado Senior Comprehensive silenced all challengers and won the overall championship. They also won best tune of choice for their spirited rendition of Michael Jackson's Thriller. Second place was awarded to Arima United, who also secured first place for their interpretation of the Test piece. The Schools Junior Steelband Music Festival is organized and coordinated
by the Pan in Schools Coordinating Committee that is chaired by Mr. Ian
Belgrave. Persons needing more information on the Festival are invited
to call the Festival Secretariat at 868-623-0130.
3. Pan Notes [back to top]
"From Tabanca to Rain" is the latest cd from the Neal & Massy All Stars Orchestra, which features nine selections that date back to their 1987 Panorama classic "Curry Tabanca" and brings us full circle to this year's rendition of "Rain Melody". The music is an eclectic mix of calypso, jazz standards and traditional folk songs that captivates the listener with its vibrancy and dynamism. The sound recordings also tell a story of how the band has grown. Sound engineer, Simeon Sandiford details his first experience in 1987 as "being cramped like proverbial sardines in a can… (unable) … to create a proper sound stage". This is compared to fourteen years later when the panyard has grown to "a 20,000 square foot performance space" where he is able to "manoeuvre players and instruments in order to create a perfect soundstage…. the fulfillment of a purist's dream". The songs on the album include: * Year of Recording The music featured on this album leaves the listener with a real tabanca
- a tabanca for more, sweet pan music from one of Trinidad's most distinguished
steel orchestras.
4. Pan for Christmas [back to top]
Thinking of greeting someone with pan this Christmas? Sanch Electronics has developed a series of three different pan greeting cards that are beautiful keepsakes especially for those living outside of the Caribbean. The cards are available in sets of twelve and are available from Sanch and selected fine stores. Call 868-663-1384 for more details. Trinidad and Tobago Instruments Limited has a line of mini and piti pans
that are ideal gifts for the new learner and children during the Christmas
season. Both pans come in a package that includes a stand, sticks and
a song booklet. A companion play-a-long cd and booklet is also available
to make playing easier and more fun. The "Melodies for the Mini C"
features twenty well-known songs, played by Dane Gulston, while Merle
Albino-De Coteaux scores the music. Check out the TTIL
product page on this website for more information.
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