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SPOTLIGHT - When Steel
Talks - Special
NARRATIVE OF PAN MASTERS STEEL
ORCHESTRA
The formation of many a Steelband
has historically evolved from another existing band. Such is
the case of Pan Masters.
Some of the founding members of Pan Masters had previously performed
with the Trinidad and Tobago Steelband of Washington, D.C. 
In May 1985, these individuals decided to chart their musical
aspirations in another direction and this resulted in the birth of
Pan Masters Steel Orchestra. The original members include Frankie
Balthazar, St Clair Balthazar, Roland Barnes, Robert Barnes, Patrick
Belle, Don Cumberbatch, Malcolm John, Lennard Jack, Jr., Stephen
Landrigan, Joseph Lewis and Brian Solomon. In May 2005, Pan
Masters Steel Orchestra will celebrate 20 years of providing
Steelband music in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The band has
traveled north as far as Brooklyn, New York and south to North
Carolina. The band is based in North Brentwood, MD.
Its accomplishments include being
adjudged the 1993 through 1998 Steelband Champion in the
Baltimore Panorama Competition; recipient of the judges award for
outstanding performance at the 1993 through 2002 and 2004
D.C. Caribbean Carnival celebrations on Georgia Avenue; 1998
champion in the New York J’Ouvert co mpetition:
several command performances at the Bluemont Concert Series and the
inaugurations of former President Bill Clinton and former Mayor Marion
Barry. The band was also featured on the CD “Bon Appetit” by Cathy
Fink & Marcy Marxer, which won the 2003 Grammy for Best Children’s
Album.
Over the years Pan Masters has had
the opportunity to expose Caribbean culture to residents in several
areas in Virginia. Whether it was to showcase the stilt dancers such
as Billah and Shacomba, or the Caribbean Folk Dancers,
Pan Masters was instrumental in bringing the Caribbean to such places
as Winchester, Warrenton, Leesburg, Culpeper, Luray, Lansdowne and
Reston. Other opportunities afforded Pan Masters included several
performances at Caribbean Summer in the Park, Prince George’s County
Bicentennial Celebrations, Kettering Founder’s Day Parade, Hispanic
Festival, Potomac Riverfest, District of Columbia Parks and
Recreation, City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation, Maryland National
Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Ethnic Festival,
Smithsonian Institute, the Cherry Blossom Parade and Musikfest in
Bethlehem, PA.
Another notable accomplishment is
providing opportunities for future pannists to develop an appreciation
for the art form. To this end, Pan Masters has successfully conducted
classes and workshops. The success of this program can best be noted
by the fact that some of the graduates have joined the Pan Masters.
Pan Masters has attributed its success to a strong belief in the
family, a strong and determined group of musical arrangers, and an
experienced administrative and promotional organization, which places
equal merit on quality performers and good clientele relationships.
Pan Masters has expanded its
community programming to include an annual “Pan Jamboree” which brings
together Steelbands in an open atmosphere similar to the open air pan
performances held in the Caribbean. Local groups include Pan Masters
Steel Orchestra, Positive Vibration, East of the River Steelband and
Tropical Ensemble. Out of town groups include CASYM, Pantonic and
Despers USA from New York. Additionally, Pan Masters have increased
their involvement in the DC Caribbean Carnival wherein they organized
and managed the Annual Calypso Monarch Competition.
Related Links
Pan Masters Steel Orchestra
20th
Anniversary Celebrations
NARRATIVE OF ROBERT GREENIDGE |
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Spotlight
