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|
Shaquan,
of
Branches; Ronald H. Lammy,
Elijah,
of
Pan Xpressions,
and
other
Branches
member |
Massachusetts,
USA -
Over the
most recent
decade
Boston has
experienced
fluctuations
in steelpan
musicianship.
In the last
year there
have been
two
heartening
developments
which
manifest
themselves
at the
7th
Annual
Spring
Concert of
Steelbands.
There is an
increase in
the number
of ensembles
and a
movement to
change the
pan teaching
paradigm.
As a pan
music
enthusiast,
I have
observed
other
conditions
that impact
the sound of
Boston pan,
and Sunday’s
concert also
presented
the
differences
in various
dimensions.
Pan Xpressions
is the
smallest
group and
most
recently
formed. One
recalls
Panazz
Players at
an
Xpressions
performance
and its
presentation
maintained
that
perception.
The Boston
Public
Schools
(BPS)
Citywide
Steel
ensemble is
in the City
of Boston’s
educational
system. Its
primary
focus is to
teach the
students
music and
prepare them
for
performances.
Its
percussion
school band
characteristics
were audible
and visible
through the
xylophone
and the
music score
stands. BPS
Citywide
provides
steelpan
instruction
through a
formal music
literacy
format.
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|
St
Cyprians |
This music
training
methodology
is timely
for the
community
bands as it
offers the
opportunity
for
collaborations
with
established
steelbands
like
Branches
Pangroove.
In the last
two years,
Boston’s
leading band
has
expressed
keen
interest in,
and begun to
move to
implement
music theory
training. At
the concert
it performed
with its
usual
vibrancy and
forceful
engine room
with the
band being
clearly in a
party mood.
The concert
had a
birthday
theme. The
Celestial
Infernos
joined the
other three
bands in
celebrating
the 10th
birthday of
Crystal Pan
Jammers who
were unable
to attend.
There was an
expectation
of an
exciting
afternoon of
steelpan
music and
the Infernos
did not
disappoint.
These school
age pannists
seemed to be
enjoying
themselves
as they gave
well
balanced
performances.
One could
not miss the
enthusiasm
of the four
newest
members for
all their
tiny-tots
physiques.
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|
City Ensemble |
At the
conclusion
of the
concert we
must
sincerely
thank the
sponsoring
organization,
the music
director and
other
enablers for
facilitating
this event
in Boston.
There is
positive
momentum and
since most
of the
pannists are
youth, we
must
challenge
ourselves to
rapidly
improve the
sound of pan
in greater
Boston.
There are
several
stakeholders
and
underutilized
resources
that can be,
ought to be,
leveraged by
bandleaders
and parents.
Municipalities,
state
legislators
and
academicians
in notable,
highly
regarded
colleges and
universities
must be
engaged.
This is
especially
important as
an entity
such as the
Boston
Public
School
system has
formally
added
steelpan
music to its
curriculum.
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|
Pan Xpressions |
It is
critical
that all
Boston pan
organizations
strive to
close the
gaps in the
definition
of
excellence.
We must
constrain
egos and
find ways to
encourage
the
participation
of our local
composers
and music
educators.
Two of them,
Ron Reid and
Orville
Wright, are
also
pannists of
world renown
and have
important
roles to
play. They
have to
assist the
community
bands and the Public
schools in
maintaining
the
authenticity
and cultural
bona fides
of steelpan
musicianship.
Because of
this
critical
factor of
cultural
self-definition,
new thinking
must be
applied all
around.
If we are
aiming for
the
excellence
and standard
set by
Panazz at
Symphony
Hall in 1997
and 1998 - then we have
a lot of
work to do:
we have to
get to a
common
purpose for
a high level
of steelpan
otherwise we
will be
stagnant
again. But
that is not
an option if
we consider
the more
than 50
youth on
stage at the
Spring
Steelband
concert.
