Grenada’s “Angel Harps Steel Orchestra” in the Spotlight

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - The islands of the Caribbean all have their unique identities and signature in spite of their many similarities.  No more is this borne out than in their music, rhythms and cultural idiosyncrasies.  The world-class steel orchestras of Grenada have, and continue to, contribute interesting dynamics to the global steelpan music landscape where steelbands have been in existence since the 1940s.  Meet twelve– (12) time national panorama champion - ‘in the WST Spotlight’ - Angel Harps Steel Orchestra from Grenada.

On the eve of one of Grenada’s steel orchestras’ major performing events, When Steel Talks traveled (via the Osprey Lines), to the Caribbean island from Carriacou, (where WST is currently on another steelpan music assignment) to catch Angel Harps Steel Orchestra in their panyard as they prepared for a government-sponsored jamboree hosted by Grenada’s Ministry of Culture. Grenada’s top steel orchestras - New Dimension, Commancheroes, Pan Angels, Pan-Ossia, Florida All Stars and of course Angel Harps were all slated to perform at the event.

WST would have loved to have covered the event but the Ministry could not make it happen.  However, as stated earlier since WST was already in the region on assignment we took the opportunity to take Angel Harps up on their invitation to their yard, and to capture some great performances by both the junior and senior orchestras of the Angel Harps music organization.

Grenada’s Angel Harps Steel Orchestra is much more than a music performance organization. It is an institution that has faithfully served and represented with distinction, the area known as “Tanteen” located within the St. George parish.  2011 represents the  forty-sixth (46^th) year of existence for the highly respected and regarded organization. The orchestra is an integral part of the community landscape.  As WST engaged the Grenadian people in conversation we were pleasantly surprised at how much even the casual onlooker knew about the happenings of Angel Harps.

Their panyard, still recovering from the battering it took back in 2004 from Hurricane Ivan, is located on the edge of the ‘recreation grounds’ which provide the neighborhood with a true sports and culture venue - both in terms of the visual and geography. As with most regarded steel orchestras, nothing has come easy and all their gains are the direct results of much sacrifice, much sweat and much tears.

When Steel Talks met with two of Angel Harps’ executive members - Brian Sylvester (manager) and David Seales (secretary and treasurer) who both have been with the organization for decades. The longevity, commitment and success of Angel Harps have been realized, and are directly connected to members such as these. Their passion, focus and vision for the artform and orchestra members (particularly the youth) are immediately apparent and uncompromising. And yet the undeniable dissonance of years of frustration from not having the proper support to accomplish “more” - as they put it in their own words - is interlaced in their story as WST, spoke with the executive twosome.  For them, it is all about investing in the youth and providing a vehicle that promotes growth and allows expression while being seamlessly embedded in history and culture.

Seales and Sylvester are both panmen with a mission and vantage point that, through their own experiences, have allowed them to watch the generations of pan people that have come through their organization.  “We must support youth development and provide opportunities...” says Sylvester who has been with the organization since the late 70s. Seales also mentioned that the group has been fortunate to have had a corporate partnership with Republic Bank for the past twenty-nine (29) years.  Theirs is a rare and special relationship.

 
Angel Harps exec member David Seales

Seales, who himself has been with the organization since the early 70s, expounded on the difficulties at times encountered by the Grenadian steelpan music fraternity, in pulling together for its own benefit.  Interestingly, it is WST’s observation that petty jealousies, disenchantments, short sightedness and low expectation have all contributed to the lack of effectiveness and properly constituted steelband associations in general. Last year - 2010, there was no panorama competition in Grenada.  Seales says that the expectation is that there will be a panorama this year at all cost.

On this warm, late Saturday afternoon, the recreation grounds are alive with the sounds and goings-on of the many youth who are engaged in play, youthful banter and sporting activities.  And in the background, mixed-in, we have the music of the Angel Harps Juniors who are engaged in deep practice under the direction of Andre Skeete, their arranger.  The steelpan musicians are very good.  Their young ages seem to have little or no impact on how accomplished they are.  This is a common thread WST has experienced with junior steel orchestras throughout the Caribbean.

Juniors

The group of youths performing at this practice session was made up of 9-16 year olds. And although several of the members were not present at this practice due to preparation for their CXC (Caribbean Examination Council) exams, and also a conflict with some other activities - the group sounded good and demonstrated a high level of musicianship and performance abilities.  Their instruments are well tuned and have excellent tonal qualities. Their instruments were tuned by Dudley Dickson who is based in the UK.

 
Angel Harps Junior Steel Orchestra

Some of the members of the Junior groups are so talented and musically advanced they also perform with the senior unit. WST saw that a few of them had to stand on milk crates in order to reach the pans to play. Clearly they are on the path to continuing the legacy of Angel Harps.  Both Seales and Sylvester readily admit and are quite proud of the fact that they (Angel Harps) are currently reaping the benefits of having invested in the youth in the past. Many of the Angel Harps players represent generations which continue on with the band. Additionally, parents and community support for the organization remains strong.  WST witnessed the enthusiastic parents’ presence during the practice, happily taking in the session as they watched while their offspring displayed a command of their instruments far beyond their years.

Senior Steel Orchestra

As the Juniors wrapped up their practice, the rays of the setting sun peeking out from behind the surrounding hills, were replaced with a bright full moon that illuminated the recreation grounds almost on cue, as the senior members filed in for the late evening practice.

 
Angel Harps senior Steel Orchestra

Under the guidance of their captain, Angel Harps meticulously went through all the material they were going to perform at the following day’s Jamboree; over and over until the music met his approval.  Their repertoire is a varied one that showcases their versatility.

Angel Harps, like many of the pan organizations, continues to face the challenge of turning something that is one’s passion - into sustainable careers for its membership, and a profitable existence for the organization.  In this regard, Angel Harps has successfully evolved beyond being simply a music organization.  According to Seales, Angel Harps has evolved into an establishment which understands the importance of garnering the support of community organizations in and outside of the steelpan music fraternity, through a mutual recognition of the need to support one another.

 

Angel Harps is clearly one of the musical flagship organizations in Grenada, but unmistakably the name “Angel Harps” has made the transition of representing much more - a commitment to excellence, longevity and success.  The group just released a CD titled “OKUNAYA” - a project by their arranger and band member James “Wakacks” Clarkson, who is currently working on the band’s 2011 Panorama tune.  Angel Harps is quite proud of OKUNAYA as this accomplishment is a continued accumulation of the orchestra’s music works.  Seales remains insistent in the understanding of the need to document and record the group’s work.  He bemoans the fact that so many past panorama pieces and other stellar music works have been lost because they were never recorded.  The Okunaya CD is their seventh recording.

The band has now begun to practice for the 2011 Grenada Panorama which will be held in mid-August at Grenada’s stunning National Stadium. All steelpan enthusiasts should definitely try to experience this Grenadian music extravaganza.

Contact Angel Harps:
email:  angelharps@spiceisle.com
voice:  David Seales -1 (473) 405-6868;
Gerry Tamar 1 (473) 405-3370; Andy Chichester 1 (473) 449-9198
Their Pan House is located at:  Tanteen, St. George’s, Grenada, WI