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Steelpan , Calypso and the Calypsonian
 

NYSSO
New York Symphonic Steel Orchestra
Aim to Make Change

Date: 05.24.04

Brooklyn, New York -

Six dynamic and driven young pan musicians dropped by the studios of When Steel Talks recently to announce the formation of NYSSO: The New York Symphonic Steel Orchestra. The young people are on the NYSSO Committee, and call various New York steel orchestras home, including Despers USA, CASYM, and Pantonic Steel Orchestra.  But currently NYSSO boasts a membership of talented and skilled pan players from almost all of New York's steelbands including the afore-mentioned bands, as well as but not limited to - CrossFire, Pan Phoniks and Harmony. And many more seeking out the organization as its existence becomes common knowledge.

The new organization's primary goal is to educate.  It is addressing more fully - the issue of music literacy and the need for more formal music skills to be acquired by New York's wider pan community.  While the majority of New York pan musicians are accomplished players by "rote" (memorization through aural and visual observations), NYSSO believes that they should also have the opportunity to excel in the field of formal music training, which in turn can be applied to their overall pan experiences - thus ensuring that NY pan players are not only naturally endowed with raw talent, but become capable of rising to any challenge musically on the international scene.

Another of the organization's goals is to provide scholarships to talented pan musicians.  NYSSO's Executive Administrator Alicia Dixon's portfolio includes staying on top of scheduling, new membership, and keeping the organization on track administratively.   The issue of scholarship is very close to her heart.  Dixon believes that "New York pan players should be able to pursue a college degree and major in pan as an instrument.  We should be able to remain in New York, and not have to travel to other states, such as Florida, Indiana and Illinois, for example, for the opportunity to pursue a music degree in relation to the pan instrument."  In this regard, NYSSO will seek to collaborate with colleges and universities close to home, in an attempt to realize this goal.  Ultimately, noted arrangers [such as Pelham Goddard, Beverly Griffith, Ken "Professor" Philmore, Clive Bradley, Len 'Boogsie' Sharpe and others] are examples of ideal pan-related instructors; so too are expert Pan tuners and accomplished steelband captains, etc., who would now have a formal educational platform from which to impart their knowledge, in addition to but outside of the panorama environment.

NYSSO's PRO, Wayne Bernard (below, right) is especially proud of the good comraderie that exists within the organization. The committee members are firm believers in healthy competition, but not to the extent that the steelpan art form itself falls victim to what can be debilitating "band loyalties."

The eager beaver of the committee is Kernel Simon (left, in picture)  who is thrilled that NYSSO is finally off the ground.  "They took so long!"  He is not the only one who feels that way. Apparently many other pan players are equally excited about the prospect of a youth-driven steel pan initiative in the New York area which allows the opportunity for innovative growth.  Travis Roberts is the organization's webmaster and graphics designer.  For him as well, NYSSO is an additional and welcome direction for the steelpan art form.  One of his ultimate aims in regards to the web site is to make it interactive, where members should eventually be able to access classroom and workshop content, to augment their tutorial experience and hands-on instruction.

While in general the response to the concept and goals of NYSSO has been positive, "it's been a mix [of responses]" admits committee member Wilfred 'Junior' Kaiel.  There has been avid interest on the part of the pan players themselves, but others are cautious.  "There is a bit of fear from bands in general, that some of the talented players [who are drawn to NYSSO] are going to leave their respective bands in Brooklyn."   The committee reiterated that this would not be the case; in fact, the existence of NYSSO is intended to serve as a resource for all of New York's steel orchestras in particular.  "The NYSSO students/players will remain members of their respective bands, and in turn strengthen and anchor their own musical organizations during their ongoing acquisition of musical literacy knowledge" stresses NYSSO music director, arranger and doctoral candidate Arddin Herbert.  He is responsible for the musical direction of the band, in addition to conducting music literacy classes and workshops.  Freddie Harris, III, who has already completed his own musical degree at Florida's Memorial University, and Khuent Rose who is currently at Brooklyn College - both assist with teaching duties.  Rose also handles private tutoring for musicians as necessary.

Bernard reminisced about how the concept of NYSSO came into being.  Sometime aback, both he and Herbert had a long conversation about the New York pan scene.   With fully recognising and appreciating the groundwork laid by the elders of the pan community, at the same time they understood that it was left to the younger generation of pan players to "take pan to the next level."   It would be a fitting testament and legacy to the work and sacrifices of the pan elders in Trinidad and Tobago, New York, and those scattered around world, if the future of the steelpan art form was being additionally secured, via an organization such as NYSSO whose goals are critical to the "carrying of the torch."

Of course, the story of NYSSO would not be complete without highlighting another main purpose - what they are also about in the first place - performing with the pan instruments.  The New York Symphonic Steel Orchestra members (who currently range in ages between 16 and mid-30s), will not be playing traditional "panorama style" arrangements.  NYSSO's focus is "big" - that is - on the sounds of "big band music, classical and jazz."   Herbert notes that this is another reason why the traditional New York steel orchestras need not feel threatened.   NYSSO's orchestral sound, style and aspirations would not encroach at all, on the customary musical styles utilized by the steelbands.  Their calypso, soca, R&B and Pop-flavored arrangements and repertoires are not where the NYSSO will be challenging its energies.   According to the committee, newcomers to NYSSO are already very excited about the difference in musical direction, in addition to the available classes and workshops.

Focusing on the Symphonic Steel Orchestra itself, Herbert says that with an extensive repertoire planned, of at least sixteen pieces, it would be a few months before a concert would be in the works, and about one year until the release of the orchestra's first CD.  It is NYSSO's intention when fully viable, to perform throughout the year.  It will not only be a "summer" steelpan institution, which is generally the case (though not by choice) on the main New York pan scene.

There are currently about forty-five NYSSO members. While the opportunity is open to all to build their musical skillset through the educational programs, only those who pass the stringent audition standards can go on to become members of the Symphonic Orchestra.  For the moment, NYSSO practices and holds classes through the kind hospitality and at the facilities of, a church institution located in the heart of the Brooklyn area.  The organization is of course actively working toward procuring permanent space for its educational and rehearsal activities.


From left to right- Arddin Herbert, Wayne Bernard, Junior Kaiel, Kernel Simon, Alicia Dixon and Travis Roberts

The doors of NYSSO are wide open to New York pan players, and the organization is currently accepting new members.  Those interested can contact PRO Wayne Bernard at 1 (917) 692-0147.  Email NYSSO at info@nyssoonline.com; their web site is www.NYSSOonline.com

 C. Phillips
Basement Press Corp.

©2005 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved


Date: 05.24.05

A GSMN Report

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