WST Global News Division

Siparia Deltones Star in Toronto

Toronto, Canada - Siparia Deltones’ first visit to Canada was a resounding success and had a great impact on all events ranging from academics to performances in which the steel orchestra participated. The two-month trip to Canada by Siparia Deltones (the 2007 Panorama Small conventional orchestra winner), was made possible by the Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company (T&T Ent) as the organization aims to facilitate international exposure of local entertainers.

Starting with Caribana’s gala opening ceremony and the band’s performance on Toronto’s Citi-TV morning show “Breakfast Television”, a first for a local steel orchestra, Siparia Deltones demonstrated its musical skills and versatility.

Deltones was also featured on Rogers TV for an entire hour on Friday 7th August during which the band performed live on set, was interviewed and lectured on the instrument. In addition, the Trinidad steel orchestra performed at several events including Caribana’s media launch, Afropan's annual steelband concert, Pan Fantasy's annual steelband concert, boat rides, blockos and barbecue events during Caribana week, at Barrie City Hall for the Mayor's welcoming of the band to that city, and at Jane Finch and Albian Mall.

It was not only “play” for the band as several members conducted workshops for 70 students at St. Mary's Catholic School in the Brampton area. The exercise was successfully carried out over a three-week period, from Mondays through Fridays, with many of its participants performing with the Brampton Steel Orchestra at PAN ALIVE (Toronto's Panorama). Deltones was instrumental in preparing the student players who dubbed themselves “Brampton Golden Harps”, for that event. The first-time participation of Brampton Golden Harps at Pan Alive 2009 was, in essence, a continuation of the workshop - with the band placing 7th out of the thirteen (13) orchestras competing.

For the student band of the Brampton Steel Orchestra, it was their first outing as a group, as well as the first time they actually played pan, and this represents a tremendous achievement - taking into consideration that the other twelve bands that competed in Pan Alive, have been in existence for a number of years.

Siparia Deltones will be conducting a new workshop series. This time the band moves to the Barrie area where both children and adults will benefit.