John Stoddart

Botswana - On April 5, the entire community of Broadhurst Primary School came together to honour the memory of the pan pioneer of the school - John Stoddart.

Music Teacher Verity Knight  put together a music programme outside the Music Room which was renamed The John Stoddart  Music Suite.  The ceremony included performances by the Chipolatas and the Calabash steelbands - his brainchild.   Mr. Stoddart's wife Gwen was invited to cut the ribbon to formalize the occasion.

John passed away last December following a battle with cancer.  A Zimbabwean by birth, the former School Deputy Headmaster served the Broadhurst Primary School for some 19 years.   It was during his study of music in the United Kingdom that he fell in love with the sound of the steelpan, as he realized that it could render from calypso to salsa to the classics.   His dream was that all students at Broadhurst Primary be exposed to the essentials of pan playing.  That dream was ultimately realised, in that the students who took to the instrument naturally, would eventually be selected to form the school steelband.  

Currently the school has three concert groups according to age and/or ability - the Chipolatas, Marang and the Calabash, all from the vision of John Stoddart.

Farewell soldier...

Hollis Clifton - WST Africa correspondent

 

From the news desk of HC, Africa   -  4.25.06

For more on Steelpan In Africa click here

www.Africa.Panonthenet.com

 


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