New
York - In an exclusive interview with
When Steel
Talks, an unwavering
president of Despers USA Steel
Orchestra, Verne Rosemin, terms this year's panorama
results a "wake-up call" that calls into question the
rewards and benefits of participating in the West
Indian American Day Carnival Association's (WIADCA)
annual New York steelband music panorama.
Mr. Rosemin goes on to say in a scathing rebuke of
WIADCA, that given the type of investment the New
York steel orchestras and supporting music
organizations put out every year in terms of time and finances,
the pan community deserves far better. And of most
concern to him is that the pan community is in turn failing
the youth by allowing their efforts to be
exploited and their development and future stunted
as a result of the disrespect and contempt meted out
to them on an annual basis by WIADCA.
This year's
uncharacteristic
10th place is a 'first' in the history
of Despers USA. They are publicly
questioning the validity of the results as it
relates to them, and take issue with a panorama that
was filled with irregularities. Of particular
contention is the lack of comments on score sheets
by judges, in addition to an unsigned score sheet
[not
personally validated/endorsed by one judge] (click here to see copies of Despers USA score
sheets),
in addition to the unknown qualifications of judges.
Rosemin, (pictured left)
perceives
this highly irregular behavior coupled with the
total lack of attention
to or concern with details
by WIADCA as a
continued pattern of disrespect.
Despers
USA represents one of the oldest and most respected
steel orchestras in the United States. Their brand of
sophisticated music and style of playing is admired
throughout the world. The group's
six consecutive panorama wins remains an
unmatched and treasured record.
"Pan people take the business
aspect of panorama for
granted. There is
no real accountability"
says Rosemin.
He believes that ultimately the New York steelband
organizations are to blame for not holding others
and in particular WIADCA, responsible for things agreed to. Incredibly, there are no
signed contracts - just verbal agreements, according
Mr. Rosemin.
The
Despers USA president strongly recommends that the steelband
music performing organizations and steelband
association come together and produce their own
panorama. While he is not calling for an all-out boycott of the WIADCA, he
sees no reason why the pan
community cannot produce their own.
Under the current
conditions Mr. Rosemin reiterated
that, "steelbands are not respected by WIADCA". Moreover Mr.
Rosemin
believes panmen
need to "be in charge of their own destiny...
panorama has long out-grown the museum."
Furthermore, pan people deserve much better given
the contribution to the New York Carnival
festivities and the multi-million financial gains received
by the city and promoter.
Contact Verne Rosemin
at 1 (917) 648-2491
Panorama 2007 in full review - pictures, stories,
audio, music
- click here: