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“Hello Houston - We Have A Problem” – Brooklyn Steelband Takes Over MIT - Again!

...the steelband from space, mashing down the place, every creed and race, jumping and rolling they waist... it is clear to see pan gone universally,  but it now in the school and we taking it cool, beware!! 
lyrics “Band From Space” - (Amrit Samaroo)

...with a look of wonderment, the normally un-phased MIT scientists can be found chipping across the campus to the beat of the steel orchestra’s music... WST reporter observation

 © 2011 When Steel Talks - All Rights Reserved

Pantonic Steel Orchestra performs at MIT during campus weekend preview
Pantonic Steel Orchestra performs at MIT during campus weekend preview

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The 'face' of MIT, the Great Dome
The ‘face’ of MIT, the Great Dome

Cambridge, Massachusetts - There are very few things that can freeze a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate, student or professor in their tracks and simultaneously etch an unforgettable image of complete wonderment on their faces.  After all MIT is the stomping grounds for some of the most brilliant technological minds in the world. And yet that is exactly what transpired when Pantonic Steel Orchestra took center stage during this past weekend’s campus preview weekend.  Moreover, it has happened several times before. It is now a tradition in an institution that is filled with great customs.



Pantonic Steel Orchestra performs at MIT
Pantonic Steel Orchestra performs at MIT

So when When Steel Talks (WST) was invited to again observe this annual Spring ritual of a “Band from Space” taking over a major institution of higher learning, how could we refuse?

Every year New York’s Pantonic Steel Orchestra treks up the I-95 turnpike from Brooklyn to Massachusetts as guest of the MIT Caribbean Club to perform to perspective students and the MIT community during their CPW (campus preview weekend).  It is one of the signature events that marks the beginning of Spring. As one excited MIT student told WST - he looks forward to taking in Pantonic every year. It has become an expected part of his MIT experience.

Van Essayan
Van Essayan after taking in Pantonic’s performance

Van Essayan of Montreal was there, and while his daughter - diligently bent on deciding if MIT would be her final college choice - had the run of the campus, Dad himself preferred to take up a position very near to Pantonic as they played through their entire set.  “They’re fantastic!” he exclaimed of the steel orchestra.  Someone else came running up excitedly and demanded to know:  “Did they bring them all the way up from Trinidad?”  She was quite pleased to learn that Pantonic hailed from much closer to home - Brooklyn, New York.

MIT students dancing away
MIT students dancing away

Again this year the normally unexcitable, unmoved and calm MIT folks broke all protocol as they clapped, danced and hooted.  And true to the scientific and investigative  minds that they are - they broke down - took out the cell phones and cameras and snapped and recorded away (digitally of course).  And during the breaks they investigated up-close and personal as only an MIT grad on a fact-finding mission can.  Pantonic executed a set that featured long standing Pantonic standards like the “Long and Winding Road” and “When Will I See You Again” between a host of new and popular music; their repertoire was met with much favor from the audience.

This is also the weekend when many perspective students who have been accepted to MIT visit the school before making their final decisions on which college they will attend.  For many it is their first encounter ever with the steelpan instrument.  Moreover it is a magical moment for them as their logical and curious minds try to digest what they hearing and seeing.

President of Pantonic Glenda Gamory, center with MIT Caribbean Club committee
Pantonic’s Glenda Gamory, fourth from left, with MIT Caribbean Club committee & Pantonic management

This year was very special in that as the proud parents of MIT students walked around the prestigious campus and took in the performance of Pantonic, equally proud were the parents of many of the young people from Pantonic’s youth music classes performing with the orchestra for this engagement. There were big ones, small ones and even tiny ones - all sizes - “Beany babies” as Pantonic’s president Glenda Gamory affectionately and proudly calls them.  They’ve been working hard, practicing and going to music classes regularly so that they could ‘make the cut’ for the annual trip to MIT. This young group is talented, skilled and developing quickly.

MIT celebrates 150 years of existence and excellence
MIT celebrates 150 years of existence and excellence

Pantonic Steel Orchestra is at a crossroad as its veteran and champion players representing past glories and accomplishments have now taken on an added role as mentors, educators and protectors for this current group of young players who represent the future of the organization.  Moreover they represent that successful bridge between yesterday, today and tomorrow’s performers, thereby insuring that the traditions like that forged with MIT will continue.  Fittingly, continuing traditions in excellence is exactly what MIT too is about; the very next day April 10, marked 150 years to the day that the state sanctioned the charter for the birth of the new college (April 10, 1861) that would be known as Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

MIT celebrates 150 years of existence and excellence
l-r: MIT Caribbean Club exec - Edner Paul, president; Kamil Gedeon, social chair & former vice-president & Chris Chapman

It was only a few years ago when then-sophomore and astronautics major Chris Chapman under the auspices of the Caribbean Club brought Pantonic to MIT to perform for the first time.  Mr. Chapman has now passed the baton and tradition to current club president Edner Paul who is a math and economics major.  Added bonus to this trip was the campus tour conducted by none other than Mr. Chapman himself for a small contingent of the Pantonic players.  The MIT Caribbean Club has done an excellent job of diversifying and ensuring that the MIT community has been exposed to and experiences a significant part of Caribbean culture.

WST watched the glow on the faces of the Tonic players has they were afforded a look at the beauty and intrigue of the MIT campus - and everything from face recognition software in action to a lab geared with nanobots.  It is simply just a matter of time before one or several of these Pantonic youth will be both Pantonic alumni and MIT students.  The tradition continues.

Pantonic Steel Orchestra at MIT with members of the Caribbean Club
Pantonic Steel Orchestra at MIT with members of the Caribbean Club

More about Pantonic @ MIT in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Pantonic CDs & DVDs

contact
Pantonic Steel Orchestra @ Pantonic1@aol.com - www.pantonic.com

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