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Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 28,
2007
When Steel Talks
Pan Trinbago Denounces Guardian Article
Trinidad
- Recently Pan Trinbago has been the subject of grave
misinformation by way of newspaper reports coming through the
medium of the Trinidad Guardian.
Pan
Trinbago categorically denies that any funds have gone missing from the
Accounts of the South/Central Region.
Pan
Trinbago further regrets that the Trinidad Guardian misquoted the
President on another occasion and that was in respect of Carnival 2008.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 28,
2007
St. Petersburg Times
Band has 'pan-do" spirit
The distinctive sound of steel drums emanates from Seven Springs Middle. The instrument is harder than it looks.
Florida
- Some
start out with a strong cup of coffee. But for Seven Springs
Middle School band director Tom Viking, it's the 8:40 a.m. steel
drum class that helps him get into the daily groove. "What a
nice way to wake up every morning," Viking said as his 18-member
Steel Drum Band gently pounded out a lilting version of Come
Monday by Jimmy Buffett.
When it comes to set up for another tune, say, Changes in
Latitudes or Blueberry Hill, the students scramble around a bit
to find other drums to play, maybe switching to a bass pan or
perhaps the trio pans.
"My advice was that they just stay with one pan and learn it.
But they wanted to learn all the pans. They're like little
bees," Viking said before reminding his students: "Don't play
loud - play accurate."
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 28,
2007
Antigua Sun
Holy Trinity School gets new set of steel pans
Antigua - The Holy Trinity School, Barbuda was on Saturday presented with a complement of pans from telecommunications company, Digicel.
The presentation was made to coincide with the mobile provider’s launch of a new branch store on the sister isle.
On hand to make the presentation was a delegation from the company including Marketing Manager, Donovan Whyte.
In accepting the instruments, Chairman of the Barbuda Council Randolph Beazer thanked the Digicel group for taking the initiative to be a part of the Barbudan family. Beazer said that he expects that the company will become more involved in the community, particularly in the areas of sports, education and culture.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 28,
2007
Cayman Net News
Pioneer calls for greater support for steel bands
Cayman Islands - The ‘father’ of steel band in the
Cayman Islands, Earl LaPierre, has expressed concern at the lack of
support given to the pan group on Grand Cayman.
Since introducing steel bands to the
Island in 1986, he said he has seen increasing interest amongst youth
and adults.
Mr LaPierre said the cost of
maintaining a band is expensive as it includes purchasing the drums as
well as bringing in tuners from overseas. He stressed the important
contribution sponsorship made to steel band in the beginning.
“The drums for my first panning class
at the Cayman Islands High School were sponsored by Texaco,” he said,
explaining that the assistance provided funds for the purchase of drums,
stands and uniforms.
He pointed out that schools had always
been supportive, with many having their own bands. However, the loss of
drums during Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 has left some institutions
without instruments.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 28,
2007
Stabroek News
Steel pan revival among plans for Carifesta 2008
Guyana
- A steel pan revival spearheaded by pan genius Roy Geddes and
collaborations with musicians, dancers, dramatists, designers and
sculptors and other stakeholders are high on the agenda as Guyana
gears up for Carifesta 2008.
Of the 40 countries invited for
the tenth Carifesta celebration to be held in Guyana from August 22
to 31, 16 have responded favorably, Minister of Culture, Youth and
Sport, Dr Frank Anthony said yesterday.
He said the Carifesta Secretariat
is engaging Caricom on the countries that are yet to respond.
However large delegations are expected from countries such as
Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname that have already shown interest.
Web Posted -
Tuesday
November 27,
2007
When Steel Talks
Clive Bradley Gettin' on Bad!!
The Great One - Live and Unplugged...
In addition to his musical
genius, few artists have been blessed with the charisma and
stage presence of a 'Clive Bradley'. And no one has ever
commanded the panorama stage as 'the Master.'
And no one has ever commanded the panorama stage as 'the
Master.' He would have arenas filled with people 'oooing'
and 'ahhing' in theatrical and musical anticipation, with a mere
flick of his hand!
Clive Bradley Master Steel Orchestra Arranger
- WST Video Uploaded by
whensteeltalks
click
on video above to start play
Web Posted -
Tuesday
November 27,
2007
Trinidad Guardian
Panmen: No money, no Carnival
Trinidad -
What ails them
* Lost an estimated $3 million in Skinner Park gate
receipts
* No reserved and special reserved seats were sold
BY SEAN NERO
PANMEN say they will mash up next year’s Carnival if the
authorities fail to deliver money owed to them from gate
receipts of this year’s national Panorama finals.
Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold said his
organization lost an estimated $3 million in gate
receipts when it accepted Skinner Park in San Fernando
as the alternative venue to Queen’s Park Savannah in
Port-of-Spain, to stage this year’s conventional (medium
and large) Panorama finals. and would boycott the 2008
finals in south.
He said in an interview that part of the losses resulted
from not having the North and Grand Stands for the
semi-final round of competition. . Pan Trinbago was not
able to sell reserved and special reserved seats at any
stage of the series, since the facilities at Skinner did
not allow for these special seating areas, he said.
Arnold said the powers-that-be knew the move would not
benefit Pan Trinbago and agreed to match whatever funds
were earned from the price of admission at the new
venue.
He claimed his organization was “deceived,” and will
therefore boycott Skinner Park as the venue for next
year’s Panorama final.
Web Posted -
Tuesday
November 27,
2007
Whittier Daily News
Magnet program proves its worth with sixth-graders
Norwalk, California - They've been in
class for nearly three months now, and
already they've performed in an opera,
visited the Japanese American National
Museum and played in a steel-pan band at
nearby Norwalk High School.
Before the school year is over, they
will have snorkeled and scuba-dived as part of Marine
Science Adventure Camp on Catalina Island, visited the
Bowers Museum to view a mummy exhibit as part of a
lesson on Egypt, and been given a chance to take up the
keyboard, drums, guitar or violin.
And that's just the tip of the
iceberg for the new sixth-grade arts and technology
magnet pilot program at Morrison Elementary School.
Web Posted -
Monday
November 26,
2007
When Steel Talks
Caribbean Music Giant Remembered
The man who took the art form to another level
Global
- Today marks two years since world-renowned master steel
orchestra arranger Clive Bradley passed away. He was
story-telling, theatre and musical drama at their best.
Moreover, he was an educator who touched and educated us
through his harmonies, rhythms and movements. The genius of
this 20th century Caribbean giant is expounded upon globally
by those he impacted.
Antigua -
It’s no secret that within the last decade steel pan in
Antigua has been revolutionized, not so much in terms of its
use or sound, but rather in the area of interest. Once an
evening of talent and community pride 50 years ago, it
dwindled into the “night off” during the Carnival season.
But along with the Female Calypso, also once regarded a
“night to rest”, pan, sweet pan has become one of the highly
attended and anticipated shows during the Carnival.
This year’s golden jubilee
for instance saw, perhaps its largest turnout in years.
But outside of Carnival,
the steel pan has also become a popular trend for many young
people. There are more church youth steel orchestras than
there are community, and the Independence season has also
given rise to the now highly anticipated school panorama, of
which the guys from the Antigua Grammar School remain the
undefeated champions.
Web Posted -
Monday
November 26,
2007
When
Steel Talks
Mark Loquan
Donates Ten years of music material to UWI CCFA
Trinidad -
On Sunday,
November 25, 2007, songwriter, Mark Loquan, donated
ten years of music material to UWI CCFA as part of celebrating his
10 year anniversary of composing and writing
music for Panorama. There was a formal handover
of music materials to the University of the West
Indies, Center for Creative and Festival Arts (CCFA)
at their 'Breaking the Ground V' end of year
concert.
Web Posted -
Friday
November 23,
2007
When Steel Talks
Silver Stars
Launch
Parang and Steel
Trinidad
and Tobago - Silver Stars panyard was fertile ground for entertainment last Saturday (Nov 17) when the conventional orchestra launched its 17th annual Christmas entertainment series titled Parang and Steel. Venue was its Tragarete Road, Newtown, Port-of-Spain, headquarters where scores of culture lovers turned out to usher in the popular five-week yuletide program.
Silver Stars offered pulsating notes on the steelpan, while Point Fortin-based Sancoche showered patrons with sweet serenal.
Meanwhile, Baron (Timothy Watkins) injected his soca-parang blend thereby ensuring a complete production.
St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda
- While he may not be a favoured household
name in his own country, especially for some of his controversial
calypso pieces (Former Government, One Term and Go), Carl “De Panman”
Richards is certainly raising eye brows, receiving nods of approval and
making waves in other islands, namely Trinidad.
Known as the Carnival to rival all Carnivals around the region, and even
the world, you know you’ve made it, or at least, on the way to making it
when your music in up there with legends such as Crazy, Destra, Steve
Sealy and the list continues. His music is even in there with the “big
names” in the composing industry, such as Mark Loquan and Ken Philmore.
Web Posted -
Friday
November 23,
2007
Trinidad Guardian
Silver Stars gives rousing show at Parang, Steel series
Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad
- Silver Stars Orchestra kicked off its 17th
Parang and Steel series last Friday with a rousing performance. There
was standing room only at the band’s decorated pan yard on Tragarete
Road and most were happy for that as they danced the night away.
The high point of the first set was a pulsating rendition of In The
Mood, with a heart-pounding crescendo at the end that warranted a
standing ovation. The younger members certainly get a good lesson in the
classics as part of this orchestra.
Web Posted -
Thursday
November 22,
2007
Austin American-Statesman
With steel pan
drum, kids learn to 'let it flow'
Nonprofit group
gives middle-schoolers free taste of Trinidad.
Austin, Texas -
Inside
a little white house with red trim, surrounded
by shining steel pan drums, Leon "Smooth"
Edwards counts off.
"One, two, three, four."
The champion
pannist from Trinidad claps the rhythm as
students from Pearce Middle School strike the
syncopated notes of "Crank That" by Soulja Boy.
The hip-hop
tune is recognizable, but a couple of sour notes
sneak in. A student hesitates and stops playing,
then another.
"Come on, keep
going," Edwards urges. "Let it flow."
The students
take free lessons twice a week after school with
the Austin Community Steelband, an East Austin
nonprofit group that hopes someday to send local
ensembles to competitions and maybe even to
Carnival celebrations in New York or Trinidad.
But first,
"Crank That."
The students
regroup and keep trying. Ten minutes later,
accompanied by Edwards on a bongo, they have it
down. They add the lyrics, and two girls who had
been playing the bass line step into the middle
of the room to dance.
The community
steel band was established as a nonprofit in
2003 and officially opened its school doors in
January.
Web Posted -
Tuesday
November 21,
2007
UK Guardian
Steel band takes the
Caribbean to China
China -
The southern Chinese city of Nanning
rarely throbs to the sounds of steel pans or
calypso music. Most of the children there have
never seen a foreign face.
Last month its
inhabitants experienced a new sense of wonder
when the Kiskadee steel band duo from Belmont
filled the air with authentic Caribbean beats.
Jeanette
Contant-Galitello, 38, the partially-sighted
lead singer, was invited to perform for the
China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe.
The troupe,
which has performed in more than 30 countries
since being founded 20 years ago, has now
invited Kiskadee to join them for a possible UK
tour.
Web Posted -
Friday
November 16,
2007
When Steel Talks
Professor Philmore takes Internet by
Storm
Global
- Veteran steel orchestra music arranger Ken
"Professor" Philmore has formed a new bond with
the iPod and internet generation as
a fresh group of young steelpan players and
listeners have discovered his "in vogue" style
of music. Over the past month the hip
hop-laced version of Harmony Steel Orchestra's
rendition of the Caribbean hit 'Nah Goin Home'
as arranged by Philmore, has dominated the
Panonthenet.com web site as the most
popular steelband music performance video based
on internet request for the video clip.
The Harmony performance is part
of the critically acclaimed
Pan in New York pan yard recording series.
Web Posted -
Monday
November 19,
2007
The Intelligencer
Teachers tout
benefits of music in the classroom
West
Virginia -
John Marshall High School music teacher
Reva Icard agrees, and has been working hard to
put the recent donation to good use. Part of the
money was used to purchase steel drums so
students could learn how to fill the halls with
tropical sounds. This year, several drums were
purchased, with more on the way next year so the
school can form a steel drum band. Another
addition to the school’s music department is a
piano lab, where students and teachers can learn
piano through group lessons. Icard teaches four
piano classes this year, but said there is
demand for more.
Antigua -
Let it be known throughout the length
and breadth of the state of Antigua and Barbuda
that the future of pan is safe and well; and
this claim is on the sticks of the nation’s
youth.
It is a bold
claim I know, but who can dispute or disagree
with me after the mind-blowing, scintillating
display put on by the youth of the land at the
recent Schools’ Steelband Competition.
One would like
to think that the "so-so" turnout to witness
this dazzling display of ‘young pannism’ was
because of the inclement weather, or because we
the adults had given so much to the young people
earlier in the day, with the rally and their
marching up and down St John’s city.
Web Posted -
Saturday
November 17,
2007
Trinidad Newsday
Competition for pan composers
Trinidad
-
The Music Literacy Trust in collaboration with
The University of the West Indies, Centre for
Creative and Festival Arts, Faculty of
Humanities and Education and The Inter-American
Development Bank Cultural Centre’ s Cultural
Development Programme presents “Musicanova- the
composition competition.”
Musicanova —
the competition will create a space for original
musical compositions created for the steelpan to
be showcased.
Compositions will be accepted for steelpan solos
unaccompanied and accompanied, steelpan duets
(tenor and double second) and trios (tenor,
double second and piano) intermediate and
advanced.
All compositions must be fully scored, computer
notation or hand-written, and the deadline for
the submission of the compositions is November
30. The competition is open to all ages.
Web Posted -
Sunday
November 18,
2007
Trinidad Express
A rush to judging
Steelbands get ready for early Panorama competition
Trinidad
-
Trinidadians like naming things. One of the
latest is people referring to the present
intertwining of the Yuletide and Carnival
seasons as Carnimas (Carnival and Christmas
combined). With the General Elections out of the
way folks have switched their attention from
carving up politicians to slicing ham and waist
wukkin. And with Carnival Monday and Tuesday
falling February 4 and 5, panmen have sped off
on the race towards Panorama finals on February
2.
Web Posted -
Friday
November 16,
2007
When Steel Talks
Pan Trinbago Hosts Anthony
Williams Pan Awards and President’s Ball
Trinidad
-
It will be a “December to Remember” as Pan
Trinbago hosts its First Annual Anthony Williams
Awards Ceremony and President’s Ball.
The celebration is carded for Saturday 8th
December 2007. PCS Starlift Steel Orchestra Pan
Theatre, 1 Mucurapo Extension Road, St. James,
is the venue. Starting time is 7:00 pm. Dress
is formal.
At the function, tribute will be paid to those
individuals and groups for their outstanding
performance, dedication, development and
promotion of the organization and the steel pan
art form.
Among the honorees are two employees for long
service, four (4) pan pioneers, a past
Government Minister, four steel orchestras, a
steelpan innovator and a former Chairman.
Web Posted -
Friday
November 16,
2007
The Adovcate
Cool Jazz at Pan Fest
Barbados
-
It was all about pan jazz on the first night of
the Barbados Pan Festival.
The rain did
not stop patrons gathered on Saturday night from
enjoying the show 'Pan Jazz and the Legends' at
the Herbert House, Fontabelle, St. Michael.
It was a
relaxing atmosphere at Herbert House as patrons
including cricketers Rev. Dr. Wes Hall and
Vasbert Drakes listened to the music provided by
the Ray Holman Quintet, Andre Woodvine, Duvone
Stewart, Rosemary Phillips and the Neo- Coustic
Jazz Band.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 14,
2007
When Steel Talks
Moods of Pan 2007
Ready for Another
Pan-fabulous Festival
Antigua - Antigua's première steel pan
festival is set to take place in a couple of
weeks. The concert known as Moods of
Pan is one of the best steelpan events
in the Caribbean region. When Steel Talks
has been in Antigua twice to cover this event,
and has given it the "thumbs up."
The festival brings a varied number of great
steelpan artists and acts from all over the
globe. In the past the top orchestras from
the UK, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Grenada, to name a few, have
performed.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 14,
2007
When Steel Talks
Pan and Percussion
Concert at the University of the West Indies
Trinidad - As part of the Centre for
Creative and Festival Arts Showcase Concert
Series, "The Rainmakers",
a concert featuring the steelpan and percussion
instruments will take place on January 5th
2008 at the University of the West Indies,
Trinidad campus. This concert showcases
Golden Hands and the UWI
percussion ensemble and incorporates some
traditional Carnival characters through music,
theatre and dance. The second half of the
concert is a theatrical production written by
Franka Hills-Headley called “the Rainmakers”
featuring all new music composed specifically
for pan and percussion by Dr.
Jeannine Remy. Tickets are available at the
Centre for Creative and Festival Arts 1 (868)
663-2222 or 1 (868) 662-2002 ex 2510.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 14,
2007
When Steel Talks
Grand Finals of
Southern Marines Steelband Foundation Seventh
Annual "Talent Expression"
Marabella,
Trinidad, W.I. - The
seventh edition of the
popular Talent Expression
Competition, organised by
the Southern Marines
Steelband Foundation,
entered the homestretch on
Saturday November 10th 2007,
when the semi-final round of
the competition was held at
the Southern Marines Pan Palais, Southern Main Road,
Marabella.
Twenty-four semi-finalists
faced the judges and when
the dust had settled twelve
contestants remained
standing. These
contestants are to appear in
the Grand Finals of Talent
Expression on Saturday
November 24th at the
Southern Marines Pan Palais.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 14,
2007
The Daily Herald
Hollywood-style premiere
for Ian Valz’s ‘Panman’
St. Maarten PHILIPSBURG -- Movie stars, celebrities
and paparazzi gathered around the red carpet in
front of Philipsburg Theatres late Saturday
afternoon for the Hollywood-style grand premiere of
St. Maarten’s first feature film “Panman, Rhythm of
the Palms.”
The film, directed by debuting
Dutch director Sander Burger, tells the story of the
rise and fall of steel pan player Harry Daniel. The
leading role is played by playwright Ian Valz, who
wrote the screenplay for this movie.
Harry Daniel is an icon of the
Caribbean whose personal life suffers when he places
his music above his family because he is desperate
to pass the pan culture to a younger generation.
Web Posted -
Tuesday
November 13,
2007
When
Steel Talks
The Great One Remembered
Global - November 4th is a special day for the
steelpan community, and in the chronicles of steelpan music
history. It is the birthday of the late
great master arranger Clive Bradley. Mr. Bradley is
revered by steelpan musicians and others alike across the
globe. It has been almost two years since his passing.
As WST travels to different countries, it is invariably
Mr. Bradley's name that is mentioned in any discussion
involving the steelpan. The international recognition
of Clive Bradley's musical greatness is unquestioned.
He will forever be remembered as one of the Caribbean
musical giants of the 20th century.
It is a no-brainer that the life and
music of Clive Bradley are required studying and listening by
all steelpan musicians. The
New York Times
acknowledges that "Mr. Bradley was one of the most
skillful and admired practitioners of a longstanding
Carnival tradition". As part of WST continued historical focus on the great movers and shakers of the
steelpan movement, we revisit a tribute to Clive Bradley
produced by Mr. Von Martin.
Web Posted -
Tuesday
November 13,
2007
Trinidad Express
Thesis on pan at Alliance
Francaise
Trinidad
- FRENCH ETHNOMUSICOLOGIST Dr Aurélie Helmlinger
will present her PhD these on “Memorising and
Playing Together: The Memorisation of Repertoire in
Trinidad and Tobago Steelbands” today at 5.30 pm at
the Alliance Française. Admission is free.
Helmlinger is also a double tenor player and pan
teacher. The thesis for her masters degree was
Trinidad and Tobago Steelbands: The music and the
playing of the tenor pan (1999); based on her
participation to the 1998 Panorama with Merry Tones
(two months fieldwork).
She undertook her PhD at the University of Paris X
Nanterre. From 2000 to 2005, she studied the
memorization of repertoire in Trinidad and Tobago
steelbands, through 15 months fieldwork in Pamberi,
multi-disciplinary experimentation and bibliographic
studies.
Web Posted -
Sunday
November 11,
2007
Trinidad Express
Harvard hails "Top
10"
steelband move
Trinidad - The Panorama
template was hatched under the chairmanship of then
Prime Minister Dr Eric Williams and, from inception
in 1963, funded exclusively by the State, largely on
the premise it would magically curtail lawlessness.
Albeit for different reasons than originally
adduced, hostilities eventually ceased, giving way
to a strictly musical contest and, in the latter
day, one that attracted young persons in droves;
some contemplating playing pan as a lucrative career
option.
Last year, the
age-bloc 16 to 26 comprised the clear majority of
the 7,700 pannists who performed at the preliminary
round of the National Panorama Competition. A number
of noble claims about what exposure to steelband
music, the panyard environment and the discipline of
teamwork can and will do for young adults includes a
lofty assertion that the mix of artistic expression
and singular geometry of playing "particularly the
soprano pan" exponentially increases capacity of
both the left and right brain.
Web Posted -
Sunday
November 11,
2007
Trinidad Express
Pushing pan to fight
crime
Trinidad
- Prime Minister Patrick Manning is hoping to fight
crime and save the nation's youth with the music he
loved in his own youthful days. He is hopeful that
the recently launched band, Divine Echoes, will sway
the youth away from illicit living by turning them
on to a more pristine form of music as opposed to
the fare they are presently exposed to via the mass
media.
At the official launch of the band, the Prime
Minister stated that music forms such as
reggae/dancehall, hip-hop and other popular genres
do "not result, in my view, in the kinds of
directions that we consider ideal for the young
people of Trinidad and Tobago".
Web Posted -
Saturday
November 10,
2007 When Steel
Talks
Sweet pan music for the Sidewalk
next Thursday
Georgetown, Guyana:
Lovers of pan music must present themselves at the
Sidewalk Cafe & Jazz Club come next Thursday night
as they are being promised an evening filled with
sweet pan music by Park-Side Steel Ensemble band.
The event is being held under the theme, 'A
celebration of steel' and according to band members
it would not only be their skills on display but the
show will also feature performances from reigning
solo champion Colgrain Whyte. The event is expected
to be better that the one the band held in 2004,
which had seen them performing to a sold-out crowd.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 7,
2007 When Steel
Talks
Dominica Mourns the
Loss of Musician, Pan
Arranger Great
Dominica - Former
President of Dominica's National Pan Association,
noted calypso writer, steelpan arranger and
instructor Allan Jno. Baptiste recently passed
in his native country of Dominica, W.I. Allan spent over 12
years in the UK spreading the knowledge of and
promoting the steelpan instrument. Three and a
half years ago he returned to Dominica where his
passion and commitment to the instrument
helped rejuvenate the Dominican steelpan industry.
Allan Baptiste was fifty-seven years old. He
passed on September 28.
In addition to
his steelpan music accomplishments, Baptiste was a
successful writer for veteran calypsonians Checker,
Ventura, Tronada, Charmer and Lady Star.
Web Posted -
Wednesday
November 7,
2007 When Steel
Talks
Ulvin Belfast Pan
Arranger
Passes Away
Trinidad - Noted calypso songwriter, producer, teacher, musician and
steel orchestra music arranger, Ulvin Belfast recently
passed away in Trinidad, W.I. Mr. Belfast worked with many
of the top Calypsonians and was instrumental in many of the
Mighty Sparrow's hits as an arranger and performer.
Renowned arranger and musician Pelham Goddard remembers
working with Belfast around 1972, when Goddard was in
rehearsal with Art de Coteau for a forthcoming trip to St.
Thomas, and Belfast was on hand for some of the artists who
were part of the line up, and for whom he had written music.
He is credited as one of the arrangers on
productions of veteran Jamaican musician Bryon Lee,
including Jamaica's Golden Hits, Vols. 1 and 2.
Hyattsvile,
Maryland:
Researchers say music classes are vital to a student's overall
academic achievement. There's one local educational program
that's proving them right. It's called the Cultural Academy For
Excellence, and instructors use an innovative approach to help
students soar.
Early morning, and school is in session at CAFE - The Cultural
Academy For Excellence. "We tend to concentrate on students who
really need academic assistance", says founder and executive
director, Lorna Green
Web Posted -
Saturday
November 3,
2007
Trinidad Newsday
Ocean surprise at COTT Awards
Trinidad -
GRAMMY-AWARD winning singer Billy Ocean brought patrons at the
COTT Music Awards to their feet on Thursday when he delivered a
surprise performance at the gold carpet event.
When Ocean returned to Trinidad in 2002, many did
not recognise the bearded elder with grey dreadlocks. He
returned to play tenor pan for the London based Ebony Steel
Orchestra for the World Steel Band Festival. During the same
year the University of Westminster awarded Ocean an Honorary
Doctor Of Music degree. The ceremony which took place at the
Barbican Centre in London recognized Ocean for his services to
the music industry.
After a brief stretch in prison for drugs, Ocean emerged wiser,
sober and more spiritual. He now finds solace in gardening and
playing pan. He continues to record and tour in Europe.
Web Posted -
Saturday
November 3,
2007
Sussex Post
Steel drums can’t be
beat
Delaware — It’s
hardly the usual fare for a
school band.
The melodic
sounds of steel drums ring
through the halls at the
Southern Delaware School of
the Arts in Selbyville. The
band is temporarily housed
at the old Indian River High
School in Dagsboro while
school repairs are made to
the School of the Arts, but
the home for this band seems
to be the world.
The Plenty
Problems Steel Drum band
plays all over Sussex County
at library groundbreakings,
ice cream festivals and
hospital fundraisers.
Students have
released three music CDs
produced from their dozens
of drums. The sixth-,
seventh- and eighth-graders
don’t use backing music and
they don’t use other
instruments like guitars.
The result is a melodic,
lyrical sound that can take
you straight to the islands
and warm summer breezes.
Web Posted -
Thursday
November 1,
2007
Antigua Sun
Cool Steel
Antigua - And let’s
not forget steelpan. Sweet,
sweet pan. Not only can we
boast of having the
Caribbean and World’s oldest
steel orchestra, the C&W
Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra,
but we can also proudly
boast that we no longer have
to import pans, as Eustace
“Manning” Henry and his
family manufacture top
quality fans right here in
little Wadadli.
This year’s
Panorama has probably seen
one of the largest, if not
the largest, audiences in
years. Taking it further
than just Carnival, the
steel pan has found a
prominent place in many
churches, in fact there are
more church steel orchestras
than community – and almost
all the orthodox churches
boast of their youth steel
orchestras.
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Trinidad
- Recently Pan Trinbago has been the subject of grave
misinformation by way of newspaper reports coming through the
medium of the Trinidad Guardian.
Florida
- Some
start out with a strong cup of coffee. But for Seven Springs
Middle School band director Tom Viking, it's the 8:40 a.m. steel
drum class that helps him get into the daily groove. "What a
nice way to wake up every morning," Viking said as his 18-member
Steel Drum Band gently pounded out a lilting version of Come
Monday by Jimmy Buffett. 
Cayman Islands - The ‘father’ of steel band in the
Cayman Islands, Earl LaPierre, has expressed concern at the lack of
support given to the pan group on Grand Cayman.
Global
- Today marks two years since world-renowned master steel
orchestra arranger Clive Bradley passed away. He was
story-telling, theatre and musical drama at their best.
Moreover, he was an educator who touched and educated us
through his harmonies, rhythms and movements. The genius of
this 20th century Caribbean giant is expounded upon globally
by those he impacted.
Trinidad
and Tobago - Silver Stars panyard was fertile ground for entertainment last Saturday (Nov 17) when the conventional orchestra launched its 17th annual Christmas entertainment series titled Parang and Steel. Venue was its Tragarete Road, Newtown, Port-of-Spain, headquarters where scores of culture lovers turned out to usher in the popular five-week yuletide program.
Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad
- Silver Stars Orchestra kicked off its 17th
Parang and Steel series last Friday with a rousing performance. There
was standing room only at the band’s decorated pan yard on Tragarete
Road and most were happy for that as they danced the night away. 
China -
The southern Chinese city of Nanning
rarely throbs to the sounds of steel pans or
calypso music. Most of the children there have
never seen a foreign face.
Global
- Veteran steel orchestra music arranger Ken
"Professor" Philmore has formed a new bond with
the iPod and internet generation as
a fresh group of young steelpan players and
listeners have discovered his "in vogue" style
of music. Over the past month the hip
hop-laced version of Harmony Steel Orchestra's
rendition of the Caribbean hit 'Nah Goin Home'
as arranged by Philmore, has dominated the
Panonthenet.com web site as the most
popular steelband music performance video based
on internet request for the video clip.
West
Virginia -
John Marshall High School music teacher
Reva Icard agrees, and has been working hard to
put the recent donation to good use. Part of the
money was used to purchase steel drums so
students could learn how to fill the halls with
tropical sounds. This year, several drums were
purchased, with more on the way next year so the
school can form a steel drum band. Another
addition to the school’s music department is a
piano lab, where students and teachers can learn
piano through group lessons. Icard teaches four
piano classes this year, but said there is
demand for more.
Trinidad
-
Trinidadians like naming things. One of the
latest is people referring to the present
intertwining of the Yuletide and Carnival
seasons as Carnimas (Carnival and Christmas
combined). With the General Elections out of the
way folks have switched their attention from
carving up politicians to slicing ham and waist
wukkin. And with Carnival Monday and Tuesday
falling February 4 and 5, panmen have sped off
on the race towards Panorama finals on February
2.
Trinidad - As part of the Centre for
Creative and Festival Arts Showcase Concert
Series, "The Rainmakers",
a concert featuring the steelpan and percussion
instruments will take place on January 5th
2008 at the University of the West Indies,
Trinidad campus. This concert showcases
Golden Hands and the UWI
percussion ensemble and incorporates some
traditional Carnival characters through music,
theatre and dance. The second half of the
concert is a theatrical production written by
Franka Hills-Headley called “the Rainmakers”
featuring all new music composed specifically
for pan and percussion by Dr.
Jeannine Remy. Tickets are available at the
Centre for Creative and Festival Arts 1 (868)
663-2222 or 1 (868) 662-2002 ex 2510.
Marabella,
Trinidad, W.I. - The
seventh edition of the
popular Talent Expression
Competition, organised by
the Southern Marines
Steelband Foundation,
entered the homestretch on
Saturday November 10th 2007,
when the semi-final round of
the competition was held at
the Southern Marines Pan Palais, Southern Main Road,
Marabella.
Trinidad
- Prime Minister Patrick Manning is hoping to fight
crime and save the nation's youth with the music he
loved in his own youthful days. He is hopeful that
the recently launched band, Divine Echoes, will sway
the youth away from illicit living by turning them
on to a more pristine form of music as opposed to
the fare they are presently exposed to via the mass
media. 
Hyattsvile,
Maryland:
Researchers say music classes are vital to a student's overall
academic achievement. There's one local educational program
that's proving them right. It's called the Cultural Academy For
Excellence, and instructors use an innovative approach to help
students soar.
