National Steel Symphony Orchestra
appears in Concert

St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. – The Holy Saviour Anglican Church is delighted to present the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) of Trinidad & Tobago, featuring the revolutionary “G” pans, in concert at the newly-commissioned Daaga Hall of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine on Sunday, May 31st , 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The NSSO will be joined in this festive concert by popular vocalist singer Michele Dowrich.

The NSSO was formed in late 2007 under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs and is comprised of thirty-five of the country’s finest steelpan players who were auditioned both for the high quality of their technical skills and for their sight-reading abilities. The Orchestra, conducted by Jessel Murray, exclusively plays the “G” pans which were developed at the University of the West Indies by a team lead by national award winner Professor Brian Copeland, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Daily rehearsals have allowed the Orchestra to build up a sizeable repertoire of local and international Classical music; Latin repertoire, Jazz and Calypso standards.

This is the first concert event for the NSSO since their much lauded appearance at the recently concluded 5th Summit of the Americas in April where they played for the 34 Heads of State and Government. This follows an earlier performance this year at a reception held at President’s House for King Juan Carlos of Spain, and follows many other performances in 2008 including formal concerts at Queen’s Hall, Naparima Bowl, the Vanguard Hotel in Tobago (the former Tobago Hilton); and a high profile concert at Carifesta X in Guyana. There have been other notable performances as well including those at the Phase II Pan Theatre and The Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre, both in December, and an outdoor performance for the Borough Day Festivities in Point Fortin in May, 2009.

Music Director, Jessel Murray says “I am of course well aware of the Holy Saviour Anglican tradition of performing, and presenting fine music. I was an organist there in my teenage years and my aunt was for many years the Choir mistress there. Also, I know that they have presented concerts at the church by the Police Band and many other choirs including the one that I direct at UWI). He adds “ it promises to change the way that some people think about classical and classic pan music!”

 

Contact:  Canon Steve West, Holy Saviour Anglican Parish Office, Curepe, Trinidad
Tel: 1 (868) 662-5178; 1 (868) 682-1685            email: weststeve@hotmail.com