For decades upon decades I have heard TRINIDADIANS comparing STEELBANDS FROM TRINIDAD to the GREATEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS around the world.
LORD OH LORD!!!
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For decades upon decades I have heard TRINIDADIANS comparing STEELBANDS FROM TRINIDAD to the GREATEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS around the world.
LORD OH LORD!!!
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Well, after November 30th (I don't know exactly what time of dark) the CIP will be OFFICIALLY DEAD. So any FUTURE PLANNING for PAN will not include them. Keith Diaz will continue to run PAN TRINBAGO until 2020 -- so there goes all of these GRAND PROJECTIONS for the GLOBAL ATTACK by PAN as launched from the MECCA. But the GLOBAL GROWTH of PAN will continue (as it has been doing it's expanding universe thing -- initially fueled by EXPATS) but now fully facilitated by LOCALS (and I don't MECCA LOCALS; I mean LOCALS from the countries where the growth is talking place).
Now, moving to CONTENT.
Me and Mr. Russell Providence differ profoundly on two things. I don't believe that PANORAMA (or PANORAMA MUSIC) is the vehicle with which PAN can be GLOBALIZED. And I think that the BIG 5 are going to end up SPINNING THEIR WHEELS in any efforts to take PAN further than a CONCERT in PORT OF SPAIN and a CONCERT IN SOUTH and a BIG FETE FOR CARNIVAL.
GLOBAL? NNNNNNNEEEEEVVVVVVEEEEERRRRR!!!!
However, we both agree that GLENROY JOSEPH should be given a NATIONAL AWARD for his HERCULEAN EFFORTS in globally promoting STEELBAND and CALYPSO MUSIC for an ENTIRE LIFETIME.
Another point: There are about 20 symphony orchestras struggling to survive in New York City. Population around 8.5 million Trinidad with population of 1.5 million has around 40 steel orchestras- just counting large and medium bands.
Glenroy Joseph, I firmly believe that you are deserving of a national award for the herculean effort you have singlehandedly made without any fanfare or tangible reward, in your tireless dedication disseminating Pan music. I believe that the comparison is relevant, as had the orchestra (and I am not now referring to METAMORPHOSIS of administration) metamorphosed appreciably and progressively, some of the conversations we are having today may not have been relevant.
North Stars and Casablanca with SUCCESSION PLANNING may have been seasonal residents at famous concert halls in first world cities instead of distant memories. The musical landscape of Trinidad and Tobago may have taken an entirely different shape and appearance, and we would not have been fearful of losing our identity as the Mecca and birthplace of the only musical instrument to have been invented in the twentieth century. The IGNORANCE that exists within our own borders would have been eliminated by attrition, as UNSUITABLE LEADERSHIP would have been frowned upon and summarily rejected for incompetence. The ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY we advocate would not have been necessary. CHILD LABOR would be nonexistent, as Panmen would have been professionals, and YOUTH orchestras would have been more popular as nurseries for the art form, and not as breeding units for PANORAMA SLAVES.
Claude Gonzales, I see the International Steelband Foundation as the vehicle that will accelerate the transition and quite likely bring about recognizable change, as they may not be dependent on the handout that most other steel bands depend on. They have developed a product that attracts funding, sponsorship, and are marketable. The Big 5 together with Skiffle and Supernovas seem to be on the right path, and undoubtedly comparable with great symphony orchestras around the world. I foresee Pan Trinbago becoming irrelevant if that body does not metamorphose into relevance, and become more of a Secretariat and less of an association, or union.
The CIP, if they were not only interested in getting their hands into the cookie jar, would be facilitating the restructuring of that body, offering working solutions instead of primarily identifying failures and shortcomings. Aquil and the other former education officer would not be attempting to point out where Diaz failed, not being able to show where and how they succeeded in making any recognizable difference, or effecting change., and point us to the path forward.
I believe that Panorama is the single most effective vehicle to holistically market the product that is Pan and its peripheral services. Those who are attempting to encourage its boycott, and erroneously equating their agenda with George Goddard's are foolish, and useless in any effort to take this thing we love called Pan into the future.
This Boycott that they are calling for has everything to do with how much they end up with in their pockets after carnival is over, and nothing to do with the welfare of the art form, in their vocabulary there is no evidence of RESTRUCTURING, DEBT RELIF, or SELF SUFFICIENCY in any form or fashion, which I believe is necessary going forward.
Claude,
Nothing is wrong with the comparison, how do you challenge yourself to become better???
We have the RIGHT to make these claims, PANAM North Stars, Casablanca, Despers, Renegades and Trinidad All Stars can make that claim performing across the globe and evoking the responses from audiences similar to the great symphony orchestras.
"Lord oh Lord!!!" Trinidad is a society, when it comes to Arts and Culture everything is DISPOSABLE. We don't document/study/teach the contributions of the Steel Pan innovators, Pan Scientist, Calypsonians "Social Scientist" always looking outside instead of within for approval and acceptance. Maybe our colonial history has something to do with our sense of identity/independence and the continued exploitation of the art-form.
Trinidad All Stars - In a Monastery Garden
Renegades - Air on a G String
You're a smart guy , ODW , so you must know that we were not talking about the music , but about the sustainability of large music orchestras.
The distinction I make in the comparison is how these entities are funded and supported by states and patrons , compared to the available funding and support for steelbands.
It should be obvious to everyone that the steelband has been successful in modeling itself after symphony orchestras., with the musical scale of a full-sized modern steelband mirroring that of a symphony.