PAN IN DANGER: TIME FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON PAN!

by Michael "Brother Scobie" Joseph

Birdsong Steelpan Academy, epitomizes the phrase, 'a king has no honor In his own land'. Pantrinbago must take heed, because a blow to one is a blow to all. I tried looking at the unpleasant predicament of Birdsong with unbiased eyes and an open mind knowing full well that this was a private arrangement between the band and an independent land owner. 

 
In spite of that situation, a number of relevant issues keep clouding my thoughts. One is an article in the Guardian Newspapers 30/08/16, page A6. The line Minister of the CDA, was making reference to the Chaguaramas development where the Five Islands Water and Fun Park and the Chaguaramas Safari Adventure were in the process of some infrastructural development in an area, where according to law, it should not be.

But, based on the amount of money spent, there was no way, they claimed that they could tell the amusement park people to break down their structure. That, to them, made no sense. This says clearly, one law for the rich, and another for the broke. When yuh big yuh bad!

Birdsong Steelpan Academy has been a beacon in their community for over twenty eight years (28), and the result of their thrust into youth development is unparalleled. Their activities exemplify the statement of the late professor Lloyd Best, "School in Pan."

Notwithstanding the fact that most Steelbands across Trinidad and Tobago are involved in like projects, Birdsong Steelpan Academy took it to a supreme level; I guess given its UWI origins. They have been producing highly qualified students in music literacy and academics that this Twin Islands nation can be proud of.

 
We are truly blessed as a nation to have so much talent and even be the producers of the only musical instrument invented in the twentieth century, which we proclaimed to be our National Instrument, and which the world is embracing. Today, the Steelpan flies our national colours high all over the world. For this, we should be very proud.

We as a people should see it as a national disgrace, when days before we celebrated our fifty fourth (54th) year of Independence from colonialism, an iconic Steelband like Birdsong could be literally kicked out onto the streets. What message are we sending to these foreign landlords who have no care, knowledge or understanding of our alien culture?

While I write I am in Brooklyn, New York, where most Steelbands are nomadic, moving from place to place, suffering from lack of rehearsal space. Should the landlords now say to them, you are an outcast in your homeland, what the heck you want me to do for you out here?

Birdsong's track record and the fact that Steelpan is our National Instrument should warrant government protection. Where is the love and appreciation for what is ours? As a matter of fact, what is the national policy on our national instrument? I should not be asking that question, because the skeletal remains of what should be the headquarters of the Steelpan fraternity in Trincity says volumes on policy.

Birdsong's predicament at this time of national celebration is as good an occasion as any for the government to sit down with Pantrinbago and develop clear guidelines and policies to protect the National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago; starting from pre –school; letting our youths grow up understanding and appreciating all our national symbols, emblems, birds, anthem and all other images of national importance.

What has become of the Steelpan land regularization program and the Steelbands infrastructure upgrade program initiated by the previous regime? Are we to believe that once there is a change of regime, all programs started by the previous administration automatically ceases? Where is the developmental continuity? This type of political gerrymandering must be abolished if we are to move forward as one nation. Politicians must not be allowed to squander taxpayers’ dollars in such a scandalous manner. Laws must be passed to protect us from this type of abuse.

To the membership of Birdsong Steelpan Academy and its community, I do hope that this unpleasant impasse is resolved swiftly and favourably, so you can continue your great work. And, may this be the very last time the Steelpan fraternity is faced with such a dilemma in this our native land.

I take this opportunity to wish the people of our Twin Islands nation, a bright and prosperous fifty fourth birthday, as we strive to develop national pride on the road to securing Nationhood.

May God bless our nation!

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  • "......the fact that Steelpan is our National Instrument......"

    Q. Where is the documentation that proves the national instrument status of pan or was it sufficient for the late PM Patrick Manning to make that declaration in his Independence Day 1992 address to the nation?

  • The dialogue must be how to deal with the problems Steelbands faces today.

  • Thanks Mr. Joseph, I feel for the Steel Entities that are currently renting.  As far as Brooklyn, there were Steel Entities in the 1970's, 1980's, up to the mid 1990's. I tried to introduce the term "Collective Entrepreneurship" way back in 1978, but the members of my Pan Entity did not see my vision.  We were there around those same multi-million dollar properties of today, that were once a "nickle", a "dime", a "quarter", a "florin" and a "dollar."

    This is something I learned in Primary School in T & T.  There are 4 things that come not: back  "The sped arrow", "The spoken word", "The past life" and "The neglected opportunity." . 

    • "The past life" -- man pushing pan on the road for Carnival!!! Plenty man on this forum expecting that to come back and prove your thesis FALSE.

  • Out of challenge and adversity, comes opportunity. I agree 100% with the remarks by Mr Joseph in his response to the recent demise of the Birdsong Institute after 28 years of operation, being relegated to a nomadic stepchild of sorts. This sends a clear message that Artistes and Arts Institutions need to see Art as business and that their operations need to be run on a professional business level. This avoidsAs being blindsided by unwelcome situations such as evictions. An important institution like this needa a Fundraising department whose sole responsibility is to do ongoing fundraising, and not only reliant on government funding. As Patrick has said below" you need to generate income". See the art as business.
    If no solid strategy is in place to assist Birdsong in swiftly being relocated and housed, then
    Post eviction histrionics and drama serve only as fodder for the media, but offers no real solution or redress.
    This is the time that the pan fraternity gets to display brotherhood and offer temporary hospitality at the various pan yard locations, so that Birdsong can continue without interruption the valuable work of serving the broader community in music education, self development and career development and more.
    I would like to hear more about Steelband and regularization Program, and Steelbands Infrastructure upgrade program".
    Is this already operational? Please send the information along to Bertel at XL4PAN@gmail.com so that it can be added to the resources list. Let us be proactive and not reactive. We can all learn from our mistakes.

    "When you are face to face with adversity, you are up against discovery (and opportunity). There is no education like adversity..Benjamin Disraeli.

    Lynette Laveau Saxe
    Laveau Look Coaching

  • How can you be blessed, Birdsong butt was recently kicked out the panyard? Wake up , stop sleeping, stop feeling sorry for your self, you panmen do nothing today compared to the panmen of long ago. Many do'nt do anything but get paid for nonsense music on carnival days. Weather its government or private, you need to generate income. As I see it, bands are ONLY looking for handouts, and many still don't realize that Trinidad and Tobago is not generating income. The oil money is no more, which means trinis are not getting the tax royalties as years gone by. If you want to open a pan-yard or teaching facility, you need to generate a plan to build revenue, as with everything else. 'This is we National instrument and love' is not cutting it anymore.

    • Patrick: Yuh braver than me, boy!!! Ah taking ah BOW for your last two postings!!! Ah L-O-N-G BOW because is hours before the game come on!!!

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