Mission: BSO's Journey to the Mecca of Steel Drums! - Kickstarter Project

[Pan Times]

Brooklyn Steel Orchestra (BSO) is a collective of young and talented musicians, hungry for knowledge and determined to progress the Steel Pan in their community. Coming up this August, an opportunity to not only share our talents and experiences, but also learn and gather more information about the instrument, has arisen in the birthplace of the instrument, Trinidad and Tobago.

check out or contribute to BSO's Kickstarter project

 

[Gerald Williams]

Bede. It's not worh investing any money into this BSO venture. The people who are trying to push this Trinidad trip are not trying to help steelpan go forward. It's all about trying to gain fame, recognition and put money in their pockets. The United States Steelband Association should have financing this venture since the president of the assocaiation and a few of his executive board are part of this. As i wrote in my post, some of the players who were brainwashed to take part because of their friendship with the said organizers, play in bands here in Brooklyn that have no place to practice. Build your foundation at home before you try to build abroad. Most of them are working so y cant they purchase their own tickets, pay for their own lodging, food etc. I have learned a long time ago being part of this Brooklyn pan fraternity that these people cannot be trusted with money, especially the so called United States Steelband Association. This association does nothing to help the bands or the players. My adive would be to put your money to a more needy cause..

[kernel simon]

YOU ALL TALKING AND KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN BSO... LET ME JUST SIT BACK AND LAUGH...... YOU ALL CAN CARRY ON

[Bugs]

Kernel don't let these haters get you down. You are to be congratulated for what you have done. BSO is already a success. That is why the haters are coming out of the dust bin. These haters can only bring their old recycled hate to the table.  Ignore the noise and do your thing. It's your time.

bugs

[kernel simon]

Ok who every you are Gerald Williams, BSO is not run by USSA.. everyone feels because we use crossfire panyard to have rehearsals it's run by USSA. .. I AM THE CAPTAIN OF BSO and I put the band together ...... IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO'S KEEPING PAN IN BROOKLYN BACK WITH UR NEGETIVE VIBES, we as youths came together to make things better in the brooklyn pan community. .... you claim you know so much answer me this question. .. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR THE BROOKLYN PAN COMMUNITY TO MAKE IT BETTER ?

BY THE WAY MY NAME IS KERNEL AND ANYMORE KNOW ME I PLAYS FOR ALL THE BANDS AND SUPPORT

[Gerald Williams]

Bede they dont have $35,000. They have only raised $200 so far. As for Bugs comment about hate and jealousy, he is wrong. I know the majority of the people involved with BSO and as i stated for the president of USSA and other board members to be involved in this instead of working towards helping New York steelbands is a travesty to me. There have been proof over the years of missing finances that to this day have never been explained. This USSA dont give a damn about uplifting steelpan in New York. I dont speak from hearsay i speak from proof of being an active steelpan player in different bands in Brooklyn. I respect what BSO is trying to do but people need to open their eyes and see that this has nothing to do with helping and uplifting New York Steelpan culture. It's all about individual fame and recognition. Here is something to think about, let's say BSO do get to go to the International Panorama. Will any appearance money they receive be shared evenly with all the steelbands in New York, since the President of USSA and a few of his board members are involved? just a thought in my head...

[BEDE LOPEZ]

Gerald Williams, this is the reason why I mentioned an Overall of $70, 000 that they will need, Quoting from there Web site,

Risks and challenges

Although we have identified a goal of $35,000, our overall goal for this trip will be $70,000. The initial $35,000 will be attributed to air fare for each of our 70 members. After raising the $35,000, the main obstacle we may face would be raising the additional $35,000 which would cover the cost of lodging, food, ground transportation and equipment security.

Simultaneously, we are exploring alternate fundraising options by way of a raffle, a steel drum expo (etc.), and soliciting the help of friends, family, colleagues

[Mercer Ramdoo]

Have they put money into their own pockets in the past, and do you have proof of it? Since we have been programed to 'thumbs down' anything dealing with PAN,  the question is "Why Bother"? Is the "so called United States Steelband Association" a legitimate org.?

[Cecil hinkson]

patrick, the only people making money from pan is the executive of PanTrinbago.

[Mercer Ramdoo]

So true, Cecil. Check this out--the gov't of T&T has been accused of corruption, and we want to vote them out to put another party that has been accused of corruption. That is T&T to a "T".

So we get rid of this executive of PT and put whom?? Would 'money' now filter down to the panman/woman?? I doubt that.

Out of thousands of panmen in T&T, less than 1/4% complain about Pan Trinbago. Doesn't mean that PT is doing the right thing, but it's just that "WE LIKE IT SO"

 

[BEDE LOPEZ]

Very good Post Gerard Williams, I didn't know The President and some of the Executive members of USSA were part of the Band, but then again maybe the USSA did assist the band, remember they already have $35.000 and are trying to raise the other $35.000. Therefore I can't say anything about the USSA until everything comes out in the Wash. (I hope that the USSA did help tho')