When
Steel Talks
provides an exclusive 2003 interview with Glenda Forde Gamory. Ms.
Gamory is
currently the president for Pantonic Steel
Orchestra. Pantonic Steel Orchestra is one the premiere steel
orchestras in the world.
In addition to being one of
the founding member and leader of this four time championship musical
organization Ms. Gamory is a grandmother and respected member of the New
York community...
In her interview, Ms. Gamory
shed light on her background. Her achievements make her a role model
for young women, and most notable is her transformation into an extremely
formidable female presence, as head of one of the most popular and
powerful musical organizations in North America.
.
Affectionately known as "Aunty Glenda" - Glenda Gamory is the chairman,
founder and leader of one the most successful, important and popular
musical organizations in America. Pantonic Steel Orchestra which resides
in the heart of the New York City's urban community, is one of the most
talented and respected orchestras in the world. As the manager of
Pantonic, Ms. Gamory has accomplished in a relatively short space of time
what few have in a life time.
Upon completing her formal education in 1967, Ms. Gamory migrated from her
place of birth Trinidad and Tobago to the United States where she has made
her home ever since. Ms. Gamory retired from the Telephone Company in June
2002 after 30 plus years with the company, to pursue her dream of creating
a world class championship organization that would impact on the youth and
her community positively.
Having been involved with the steelband movement from infancy, Ms. Gamory
became familiar with and acutely aware of, the positive influences that a
community-based orchestra can have on its society; its young people in
terms of providing opportunities, self esteem, education, jobs and its
ability to enhance the human spirit in spite of their environment, thus
promoting advancement.
Already well-acquainted with the ability of an organization to impact
positively on a community, and having grown up with the world famous WITCO
Desperadoes located literally in her back yard, Ms. Gamory was able to
observe first hand how the success of that organization changed the face
and perception of that community on a global scale. Therefore, a few years
before her retirement, Ms. Gamory decided to put her passion and knowledge
for the steelband, love for the community at large, especially the young
people, along with her business acumen to use, by forming Pantonic Steel
Orchestra in 1997.
Pantonic has become much more than a steel orchestra; it represents a
social educational and musical institution that provides opportunity,
leadership training, motivation and mentoring for youth and young adults.
In addition to serving as a source of pride for a community in a world
where this is in increasingly short supply, Pantonic is one of the most
sought after organizations which the community at large, and wants to be
part of. It has built the reputation, teaches the young people the
necessity to be always goal-oriented, disciplined, tenaciously dedicated,
and the importance of team work, not to mention a commitment to
excellence.
The successes of the band are internationally renowned as people from all
over the world and from all walks of life, make the pilgrimage to Brooklyn
for their chance to become part of one of the band's main annual
presentations, and beyond. They all try to make the special-one hundred
player team which ultimately competes in the elite annual musical
competition.
Ms. Gamory's success is undisputable as they have won the coveted title of
Champion three years in a row, and four times in the last five years. She
has distinguished herself as the only woman to have led a steel orchestra
to a championship in any part of the world; she has been and continues to
be, successful in an environment that is extremely hostile to such
endeavors.
Copyright 2004 - Basement Recordings, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
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Glenda Gamory -