No support for steelpan and the youths in Trinidad and Tobago, Starlift Junior Steel Orch will not be performing in Montreal for the Montreal International Steelpan Festival 2011

Well the more things change, the more things remain the same. People especially politicians just provide lip service to the steelpan and the youths of TnT. Starlift Junior Steel Orch will not be heading to Canada to participate in the Montreal international Steelpan Festival next week. Despite proudly representing TnT at the Festival in 2010, playing to standing ovations and several encores and winning the Junior Panorama competition and placing 2nd in the Adult Panorama and gaining international exposure on the Pan Podium (England), When Steel Talks and Pan on the net, the government of TnT has decided to blank us. The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs which sponsored a concert featuring Nikki Minaj and other artistes has blanked us. The TTENT, Ministry of Tourism and TDC have all BLANKED us and the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism continues to give us a run around. Even corporate sponsors have blanked us. So in the home of steelpan, the cycle continues and no one really cares about the steelpan and the youth. Hopefully we will be able to attend the Festival in 2012. Meantime, Starlift Junior Steel Orch continues to perform well and strives to be the number 1 youth band in TnT.

This is unbeliveble. You must have gotten this wrong. Did they give a reason why???? Is it because the band is not representative of all young pan players of T&T???. A national band ???Let the powers that be continue this nonsense and pretty soon they will have no need to say no. Pan will be represented by all the white players of the world whose country will be only to happy to see that they get to events that will promote "their" culture and their country. Dont' say I did not tell you. And as to the band why was not fund raising done? Let me guess. Events were not supported.

To all young people, know that if you want a thing bad enough, you will make sacrifices to get it. Just like you make it to buy the things you "need" . Start planning from now to earn your own money to make the trip next year. Practice hard, keep learning your craft and continue to do the best at all times. Winston Peters should be ashamed.. More showing that he is not 100% behind every aspect of OUR culture..Shame on Him and Shame on the Youths of T&T if they continue to accept this from the people they elected....but that is another story for another time...Blessings

Replies

ama belfon July 9, 2011 at 9:56am

This is unbeliveble. You must have gotten this wrong. Did they give a reason why???? Is it because the band is not representative of all young pan players of T&T???. A national band ???Let the powers that be continue this nonsense and pretty soon they will have no need to say no. Pan will be represented by all the white players of the world whose country will be only to happy to see that they get to events that will promote "their" culture and their country. Dont' say I did not tell you. And as to the band why was not fund raising done? Let me guess. Events were not supported.

To all young people, know that if you want a thing bad enough, you will make sacrifices to get it. Just like you make it to buy the things you "need" . Start planning from now to earn your own money to make the trip next year. Practice hard, keep learning your craft and continue to do the best at all times. Winston Peters should be ashamed.. More showing that he is not 100% behind every aspect of OUR culture..Shame on Him and Shame on the Youths of T&T if they continue to accept this from the people they elected....but that is another story for another time...Blessings
Cecil hinkson July 7, 2011 at 4:43pm

The sad reality of this situation is that it is too costly for a steelband to travel, Starlift has raised 40k lets say they need another 40k, if they spend 1 week in Canada they cannot make back that 80k they put out, the name of the game is $$$$$ there must be a return on the $$ you put out.
- ama belfon > Cecil hinkson July 9, 2011 at 9:59am
  
  Its not alway about the money. Money will never replace the culture of a country. Just check out clutures of other older countries.
Drill Sarg. July 7, 2011 at 1:18am

This was sad to hear. You guys will be missed in Montreal this year. Let's hope that Trinidad will wake up by next year!!. Continue doing what you are doing, the system will be beat. Bless!
Kenrick Phillip July 6, 2011 at 11:09pm

It is very very disgusting and shameful, to see that Kamla or Camla and Mr Winston Peters and all of those so called politician, are treating our youth like they do not exist, when they are staying out of trouble and not running aroung in gangs, and doing drugs etc, but they will spend millions of dollars on chutney soca, something that cannot and will never represent Trinidad And Tobago, in any world competition, winston peters being a calypsonian and thiefing Jack in the box, should change their names to sookram and boodosingh those ass lickers, shame on them.
Leon "Foster" Thomas July 6, 2011 at 5:09pm

How unfortunate for the Starlift Youths and how common of the T&T government. I am not surprised by the government's actions no matter who's in power, they act the same way. It's time for every steel band and it's so called governing body to start standing on their own two feet and stop waiting for the continual insults that the T&T government have waiting to offload on us!!! Some other country's government will recognize and accept this goldmine we call the steel pan.
haydenlynch July 6, 2011 at 4:32pm

no change in tnt it is so sad but pan will live on and God will bess pan men and women just keep on playing
Terry Samuel July 6, 2011 at 2:24pm

Barry, you said the band already raise $40,000.00...what is the total cost for the trip to Montreal.
Larry Lai July 6, 2011 at 2:05pm

This isn't meant to offend or put anyone down, but recently in a casual conversation with someone, was aware of the difficulties Steelbands endure and wondered why doesn't the members of the governing body resign and form a more productive and vibrant association that would effectively deal with matters of such nature.

My reply was, THERE'S NO TRUE TOGETHERNESS AMONGST THE MEMBERSHIP, so everyone just has take whatever they get, if they do get.

On the other hand, I sincerely believe that all bands can become self sufficient. It's simply a matter of creating programs that would attract not only patronage, but also assistance. The business sector is always willing to get on board with initiatives that demonstrate development, purpose, and progress. They too would like some benefit from their participation. That is simply what business is all about.

"GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES"
- Barry Mannette > Larry Lai July 6, 2011 at 2:32pm
  
  I agree Larry, there isn't much togetherness in the Steelband fraternity as everyone is always competing. We at Starlift Junior Steel Orchestra are of the firm belief that "God helps those who help themselves" and for this reason, we were very proactive and were able to raise over $40,000 towards our trip to Canada. We had several fund raisers and even the business sector blanked us with assistance for these fund raisers. Starlift Junior Steel Orch is all about development of the youth and aiding in their progress as they enter their young adult lives. This group is a group of well choreographed music literate pannists with an outstanding repertoire of all genres that could match any other band (and better than some, both junior and senior bands). But you are indeed correct bands need to become self sufficient.

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