SECOND TERM OF PAN CLASSES FOR ADULTS AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE CONCERT.
By Aquil Arrindell
Poem by Eulalie Colthrust
This Saturday 8thSeptember 2018, our new term of music lessons begin for adults at 10 am and for children at 11.30 am at the San City Steel Symphony’s pan yard on Carib Street in San Fernando. We are inviting all those interested to join and have fun while learning to play the steel pan or drum set. This term our focus is sight reading.
This would be our adults class second term and they are already preparing to perform in San City Steel Symphony’s concert on November 15th, featuring world renowned panists, Dane Gulston and Akinola Sennon.
Three weeks ago, the term ended with a party. Lots to eat and drink and loads of gratitude. Gratitude to God for life; the person who brought San City and the Purple Dimonds South Zone (TTARP) retirees group together, Mrs. Eulalie Colthrust; to Aquil Arrindell, their patient tutor and to Trinidad and Tobago, the origin of the greatest instrument on earth. Everyone had an opportunity to share their experiences and one of the most common things shared was the fact that they could not go into a pan yard when they were youths but they always wanted the opportunity to learn. The favourite feature of the sharing segment though, was a poem written by Mrs. Eulalie Colthrust. With her permission I am now sharing it with you.
ACHIEVEMENTS AT SAN CITY PANYARD
On 5th May that most memorable day
Our National Instrument we came here to play
15 members from TTARP so eager to learn
And master notes on the oil drums in our zone
To our left is South
City Co-operation
On our right a prestigious college called Presentation
Behind us can be seen our landmark -
The Hills
Being here on Saturday morning is
always a thrill
Tutor Arrindell with lots of patience and skill
Took us through a thorough drill
As we practiced "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
With crotchets and quavers in every bar
He showed us to hold those sticks correctly
Then homework was given in his book of Activity
Clap your hands and tap your feet
Then say "Doo Dey Doo Dah" to each count or beat
At length we were tested with the Chromatic Scale
Ascending and descending we had to play without fail
Plus the F Major we had to remember by heart
Otherwise over and over Sir would make us start
Put away those books he would often say
Do not read any notes whenever you play
Believe that you can do it and you'll achieve it
So take five minutes to practice and you'll master it
Ole Lady Walk A Mile And A Half And She Tay Lay Lay
An old tune we practiced day after day
Double Seconds use the first six notes he would say
As base and tenor joined while we sing and play
On drums he accompanied us with the count of four
San City Steel Orchestra improved our well-being for sure
So hats off to you Tutor Arrindell we appreciate all
And await that day when we'll play in
Sando City Hall
Composed by
Eulalie Colthrust
11th August 2018
Aquil Arrindell
Pure pan passion
Replies
Aquil: Ah want to come down SANDO (down dey have plenty TEMPO) and take some lessons from you. Although I hear that once ROWLEY close down PETROTRIM -- the whole ah SOUTH going dark and people have to eat the bread that the DEVIL KNEAD.
Nice work with the SENIORS. I like the line about FINALLY BEING ABLE TO go into a PAN YARD and PLAY PAN.
Ah still trying to recover from that NY PANORAMA ARRANGEMENT by KENDALL WILLIAMS. But like I is the ONLY MAN in the entire WORLD OF PAN who got BLOWN AWAY by the MAGNIFICENT and HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE.