MP Esmond Forde donated devices to panists Sean & Marcia Earl, winners of this year’s Christmas talent competition.
Saturday 18th December, at Upper St John Road at the Flamingos pan yard, the handing over of the devices by Mr. Esmond Forde and the celebrations of victory by the members of the Flamingos steel orchestra took place. Panists Sean & Marcia Earl, the day before, won the annual Christmas talent competition hosted by the Renewed Hope Family Centre and We Care Foundation. Under the tutorship of Mr Keith Selina, manager of the Flamingos Steel Orchestra, they learnt a song called the Air Maker which gave them victory over thirty participants. Both Sean and Marica expressed their gratitude to all who were involved in their success and to the MP for making the day extra special with the gifts he bestowed.
Mr. Forde gave them a word of encouragement on their quest to become musicians and reminded them to keep beating their books. Mr. Forde, together with Mr Selina, and Aquil Arrindell, president of Pan Moving Forward, discussed land tenure and solar lights for the steel band. Out of the discussion a commitment was made by all parties to make this a reality in the shortest possible time.
During the function, Education officer of the village council and the St Benedict RC Past-Pupil member, Mrs Lena Rivero, spoke of the importance of music in the development of the holistic individual. She, speaking as an educator, listed some benefits music education has for students to help them learn. She recalled that both students always had an interest in music and it is fortunate that the principal of the school had the foresight to work together with the Flamingos Steel Orchestra to bring music education to her students.
Mr Selina ended the program by giving a brief history of his involvement with the band and thanked the people who got him involved in the past and have him involved with the band to this day. Two names that stood out were Mr. Juggy Rose and Mr. Sala Wilson.
It was a beautiful afternoon and time well spent. What was noteworthy after attending Power Stars Steel Orchestra's hamper drive prior, was the impact of these smaller bands to their community. The more established bands cannot by themselves service all the communities of Trinidad and Tobago. Let the actions of these smaller bands resonate with corporate T&T and encourage them to get involved and help the bands nurture the youths.
On behalf of Pan Moving Forward and the members of the steel band community, congrats to Sean and Marcia and the Flamingo Steel Orchestra for winning the annual Christmas talent competition hosted by the Renewed Hope Family Centre and We Care Foundation and thank the MP, Mr. Esmond Forde for caring for the steel bands in his community.
Aquil Arrindell
President of Pan Moving Forward
Replies
Congratulations, respect, and thanks are in order for this simple but great achievement. Congrats to the youths of Flamingoes Sean & Marcia Earle and leader Keith Salina. With respect to the MP Esmond Forde and the president of Pan Moving Forward, Aquil Arrindell a big thanks. Flamingoes continue to rebuild, an ongoing journey in pan. Stay safe and well