Global - It's been a very interesting year for pan, globally speaking.  The face of pan is getting younger and more diversified. Furthermore the talent and skill level are increasing sharply.  When Steel Talks (WST) has been fortunate to be able to communicate and meet with people from all walks of life (professionals, hobbyists, pan 'lifers', beginners, educators, students and fans), who are connected to the steelpan instrument and are literally from almost every sector of the world.  All have in common, an undying enthusiasm for the instrument and art form.

From our travels we noticed that each region has its own unique issues and problems - many of which can be traced back to lack of funding.  A great deal of the forward motion of the art form is fueled by superhuman efforts from individuals who simply refuse to fail, or abandon the art form in spite of the sometimes lackadaisical or hostile environments from within which they must work, and excel.  One such person would be Mrs. Anna Raffoul, President of the Dominica Steelband Association, and Mr. Edward André, Dominica's resident tuner and instructor.  They led the way for the very successful OECS Junior competition this past April.  Failure was simply not an option for them.

The global pan in schools movement has been very effective in terms of raising the awareness of the instrument and its educational and social values.  We have seen a significant increase in interest in the instrument - from both the secular and  religious sector, and the growth is also across the geographical landscape happening in both rural and urban areas.

Most heartening is the volume of communication WST receives from people and organizations that are interested in starting a steelband.

The following is a summary our year... 

•  Steelpan Person of the Year - 2006

• Steelpan and Steelband Concerts and Performances In Pictorial Review

•  The Year in Review 2006 - Live Performances In Videos

• Steelpan Picture of the Year - 2006