The thing is , focusing solely on corruption in Pan Trinbago , without an overall, comprehensive plan for the future of the steelband may create great conversation on fora such as WST ,but I think it is not necessarily as productive as we would hope.
Yes , corruption is an issue , but I do not think that most Trinis see it as big a problem as we do on social media....
They may be accepting of a "lil bobol " as a fact of life , as long as some others also get to "eat a food"..
Because my friends, people ARE getting paid.
Most of the influential people in the world of pan - the big time tuners , arrangers etc. are getting paid and do not really have a passion to fight the leadership of Pan Trinbago.
Which leaves the players , most of whom are , and who see themselves as amateurs , playing for the love of pan.
So where does that leave us?
It means that any change will have to be spearheaded by the core membership and leadership of the steelbands , particularly the big bands.
It means going from panyard to panyard , starting discussions with core band members , soliciting and exchanging ideas ,and creating consensus for action and change.
Inevitably , under all the noise , as far as I know , the steelband organization is still a democratic organization , and with sustained and targeted political activism , the will of the majority should prevail.
But , the fact remains , until a majority of steelband leaders and senior band members decide it is time to take action for change , as much as we vent on social media , unfortunately nothing will change
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You said it Glenroy, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
Glenroy, it just beggars belief that pan players would just play for Panorama and not even think about changing anything. Outside of Panorama, what exactly do pan player do with themselves? Absolutely nothing! The following is an example of Pan Trinbago's incompetence. When the International Panorama took place in 2015, it should have been obvious to anyone who could hear that a DVD should have been produced but clearly Pan Trinbago do not forward think.
There was a DVD recorded and edited. By Kenny Phillips of WACK. I recorded the audio for him. I don't know what happened to it after that, you'd have to ask Kenny. There might have been an issue with payment for duplicating copies for sale?
PJJ, it's funny you should say that. When I signed up to listen to the ICP in 2015, I sent a message to Dianne Phillips about a recording of the event and she said to me that WACK hadn't heard anything about a recording but that I should keep listening to WACK should it happen. I can't remember hearing anything about it but when I go to Trinidad next year, I will make sure that I pop along to WACK's offices to see what they say.
Ingrid,
I believe something went wrong with one person wanting to hogg an unequal amount of the pie... so, they are holding the recorded music to hurt the rest of the opposers. in other words ... somebody holding somebody by the balls.
In the meantime, Claude is shouting for a Global CD and even the Prime Minister knows about his efforts but the country doh really care about promoting Trinidad with a CD.
THEY LIKE IT SO ....
As was said, "a lil bobol" is their normal way of life. So, why should we expats bother to promote pan with a CD.
Pan is still on the Global scene via the news media reporting on great accomplishments by individual pan people who were smart enough to find their own way out.
So, for me, I will continue to read posts but I am not lifting a finger to help those people who want to eat ah food but still want to sit on their ass.
Brenda H.
Brenda, I hear you but it's so very frustrating. You can't keep using the title "The World's Governing Body" just because pan was invented in Trinidad. Come on, get a grip!
"But , the fact remains , until a majority of steelband leaders and senior band members decide it is time to take action for change , as much as we vent on social media , unfortunately nothing will change"
As LILY TOMLIN used to say on LAUGH-IN: And that's the truth!!!
Well said Glenroy.