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St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. -  Meet Khan Cordice, the eighteen year-old youthful arranger for the National Youth Pan Orchestra of Antigua & Barbuda.  As fate would have it, WST conducted an interview one day before Cordice would make history by winning the 25-A-Side competition at the Moods of Pan Festival 2008, beating out other seasoned and previous winning arrangers to do so.
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BAS FDF Calypsteel Winter Lime

United Kingdom - The British Association of Steelbands Future Development Forum (BAS FDF) hosted their “Calypsteel Winter Lime” on Sunday 21 December 2008 at Carnival Village Yaa Asantewaa, 1 Chippenham Mews, London W9.  It is a new initiative developed by FDF, in partnership with Carnival Village and the Association of British Calypsonians, and the intention was to bring together pan, calypso and parang to celebrate the festive season in true Trini style.  Steel bands and Calypsonians play 2 or 3 Christmas carols, plus other songs from their repertoire in a family evening show.
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Dudley, Steelpan Innovator, Scores Again

Trinidad, W.I. - Make me another “Voom Box.”  Such were the words of Len “Boogsie” Sharpe when he realized the effect and potential of the new invention from UK-based inventor, Dudley Dickson, when the instrument which houses the Sonic Bass, was tested with National Panorama Champions, Phase II Pan Groove at C2K8 (Carnival 2008).

The acoustic Voom Box is made of plywood and is somewhat like a speaker box since it amplifies the sound of the pan, in this case the seven-bass.  An excited Boogsie believes that another voom box would strike a better balance to the sound of the band.
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Tune for 2009
‘Hostile’

Penned by legendary panman Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Alvin Daniell (pictured), ‘Hostile’ is yet another credible  offering for the consideration of steel orchestras for 2009 as they take to the competition arena for another panorama season.  ‘Hostile’ is sung by Antiguan Carl “De Panman” Richards. 

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Tune for 2009
‘Pan Baby’

For 2009 Amrit Samaroo and Crazy have teamed up yet again to produce what they expect, to be an equally successful piece, “Pan Baby.”  In 2008 the duo collaborated on the very well-received, panorama-oriented selected “Heat.”

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Tune for 2009
‘Just Right’

....[Co-composer of ‘Just Right] Brian “Bean” Griffith believes that judges should spend more time, visiting yards prior to the competition to respect the hard work and dedication of the musicians who spend countless hours preparing their compositions on steel....

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Woodstock recalls steel drums over lead

Washington, USA - Woodstock Percussion of Shokan, N.Y., is recalling 2,800 Calypso Steel Drums because surface paint on the toys contains excesses lead.

The recalled steel drum comes with two wooden drum sticks and a wooden stand. The sides of the drums are painted red. The drum pan is painted black with silver markings to show the location of notes. Each rim is stamped with a number 5 or a number 6. Not all drums stamped with a number 5 are affected by the recall.
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Lydians, Despers thrill
on Sando Hill

San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I. - It seemed as if the elements came together with the ancient Amerindian spirits of San Fernando Hill to welcome the WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and the Lydians Singers to the southern city on Friday.

For most of the day, heavy showers threatened to keep patrons away from the scenic venue where the three-part concert series "From Hill to Hill" was being held. But the clouds retreated revealing a clear sky sprinkled with stars.

And the stars of the night delivered an entertaining and, at times, riveting repertoire which was executed with the chutzpah for which the Lydians, under the revered Pat Bishop, and Despers have become known.

Joining them were renowned pannist Robert Greenidge, Grammy Award-winning percussionist

and songwriter Ralph MacDonald and special guest, the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra - the Pride of San Fernando.
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Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - He is deep intellectually, articulate, forward thinking, charismatic, pragmatic and nationalistic. He is a man of many skills and talents. He is equally at home in the panyard as he is in a room filled with the world’s heads of state. He is a lover of the steelpan instrument, and ‘panman’ himself. He is the current Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, on the morning immediately following the close of the Moods of Pan 2008 festival, the Honourable Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer shares his thoughts about the three-day Pan fest, and US President-elect Barack Obama.
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Tune for 2009
‘We Eh Leavin’

Composer Martin “Andy” Sheafe is presently in Japan teaching, arranging and performing.  He is no stranger to the arena of composing for pan, over the years having penned the likes of “Pan in Good Hands” sung by Roger George, “Pan Celebration” with Mark Loquan, “Pan Protection” sung by Mike Cedeno, and more.  His 2009 pan offering is ‘We Eh Leavin.’

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They simply stole the show with their performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” at the Moods of Pan Festival 2008  25-Ah-Side competition.  Antigua and Barbuda’s National Youth Pan Orchestra’s performance at that event is the ‘Video of the week’ this time around.
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 25-A-Side Features The Best
in Antigua & Barbuda’s
Steel Orchestra Industry

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - There was much anticipation emanating from the crowd gathered for the unveiling of the newest element of the annual Moods of Pan (MOP) festival in Antigua, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The ‘25-A-Side’ competition promised to be a treat for steelpan music connoisseurs.

Outside of the annual Panorama festival for Antigua and Barbuda steelbands, there has not been another platform affording contingents of any considerable size to come together and perform in a competitive, or even showcase, arena.
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The Musical Apostles steel band makes debut

Jamaica, W.I. - The Kingston Parish Church is the most recent convert to the growing number of Jamaican churches with steel bands. The Musical Apostles was formed in September, and last Sunday was ceremonially dedicated to the church by the new rector, Bishop Don Taylor. He declared that having the band is "a joy".

The band was the brainchild of Rev Jim Parks, until recently the assistant priest at Kingston Parish Church. The 14-member band is composed of five boys and nine girls from Kingston Parish Church and Christ Church Vineyard Town, and officially belongs to both churches.

Its leader, Gay Magnus, is "probably the most qualified" steel panist in Jamaica, according to her assistant, Dwight McBean, an organist at the Kingston Parish Church. He told The Sunday Gleaner that the band desperately needs more pans.
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Steel band spices up
seasonal favourites

Portsmouth, England - Sounds of Christmas rang out around Portsmouth Guildhall at this year's annual civic carol service organised by the Salvation Army.

A steel band added new twists to traditional carols, while the more familiar sounds of brass and voice combined under the theme the Glory of Christmas.

It also featured festive readings, performances by children and dramatisations of the nativity scene accompanied by music from the Salvation Army choir.

The event raised £1,000 for Panjazz International, a charity which specialises in music education and performance.
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The hills are alive…

Trinidad, W.I. - For all trueblood lovers of pan and excellent music, all roads lead to San Fernando Hill this evening for “From Hill to Hill,” a production headlined by Witco Desperadoes and The Lydians.

Joining these two majestic acts are pannist extraordinaire/recording artiste/and Jimmy Buffet musician Robert Greenidge, Grammy-award winning percussionist, songwriter and producer Ralph Mc Donald, and pride of San Fernando TCL Group Skiffle Bunch.

Chatting with Lydians musical director Dr Pat Bishop over dinner with Greenidge on Tuesday night, she intimated that the prelude to “From Hill to Hill”—The Hills are alive with the sound of Christmas—was an initiative by Desperadoes and herself to use music as a pacifier for troubled communities. She said they decided to forego the tried and tested, and failed, methods of stemming the violent turbulence in Laventille and environs by going into the community and engaging residents face to face, using the universal language of peace—music.
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 Mandate for a participatory democracy

Trinidad, W.I. - I have read with much interest the most recent pieces, which you have written in the Express Newspaper.

Please accept from me a copy of the document which informs and guides the course of actions of Pan Trinbago Inc. The Strategic Plan for the Sustainability of Pan was developed after a series of consultations with stakeholders.

I do hope that this document would give you a good idea as to where the development is headed....
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CASYM Brings in the Holiday Season with Performances from its Youth Performing Arts Programs

New York - It was 90 degrees in the shade less than two weeks ago as the When Steel Talks crew covered the Moods of Pan 2008 Festival in the beautiful island of Antigua.  Today we are a few thousand miles north and it is below freezing though sunny!  Despite the huge difference in temperature both places have captured our undivided attention for the same reason - the power of the steelpan instrument.

In spite of the intimidating chilly temperatures, the Brooklyn Museum auditorium was almost filled to capacity.  The all-round positive energy emanating from the organizers, parents and supporters was evident.  And as expected the CASYM (Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Youth Movement, Inc.) concert heated up the Museum with the musical instrument more associated with warmth, innovation and genius than any other.
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Trinidad and Tobago Government Sends Warning to Pan Trinbago

Trinidad - In a very carefully worded letter from the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Pan Trinbago was warned of the government’s dissatisfaction of its planned usage of the designation “national” in the naming of Pan Trinbago’s youth steel orchestra.  Pan Trinbago is the recognized governing body of all matters related to the steelpan instrument in Trinidad and Tobago.  The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is the official birthplace of steelpan instrument.

The relationship between the Trinidad and Tobago government and Pan Trinbago has often times been contentious. Funding for Pan Trinbago projects are mainly provided by the government.
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Pan Trinbago in 'national' limbo
...Govt cautions Arnold against name of new youth steel orchestra

Trinidad - A row has broken out between Government and Pan Trinbago over the use of the word "national" for the newly-formed National Youth Steel Orchestra.

Four days before the historic launch of the first-ever National Youth Steel Orchestra (NYSO) at Queen's Hall, Port of Spain, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs dispatched a letter to Pan Trinbago's president Patrick Arnold complaining about the use of the word national.
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Junia Regrello Sets the Record Straight on the G-Pan - Trinidad and Tobago’s latest steelpan Instrument Development

Trinidad, W.I. - Since it’s unveiling more than a year ago, the G-pan (Genesis Pan) has had no shortage of detractors and controversy. In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Parliamentary Secretary Junia Regrello attempts to set the record straight on the purpose, expectations and realities of this instrument as it relates to the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, the government, and the overall Trinidad and Tobago steelpan music fraternity.

Ultimately, according to Mr. Regrello, “this is about the protection of the instrument, and for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” He also emphatically states that the objective is not to replace the traditional steelpan instruments with the G-pan. They are of the opinion that the G-pan can harmoniously co-exist with the traditional steelpan. In addition, the rumors that the purpose of the G-Pan is to ‘reduce the number of players’ - is nothing more than ‘propaganda’ that has no basis in reality, Regrello affirms.
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