THE SAGA OF THE STEELPAN

[Pan Times]

THE SAGA OF THE STEELPAN

Trinidad & Tobago - The Steel Pan Instrument is celebrating over seventy five years of evolution in Trinidad and Tobago; yet it still faces an uphill battle for survival even though dubbed the National Instrument.

The steel pan has made such a valuable contribution to the social fabric of our pre and post Independent society, by supporting and sustaining so many communities and individuals, representing this country across the globe with distinction, as the only musical Instrument to be invented in the 20^st century. It has been adopted far and wide as an educational and rehabilitative tool.

Despite all this what we are experiencing today from the powers that be is nothing short of disrespect and contempt for a people’s sacrifices and struggles. Over seventy five years of it.

Sidney, Oscar, Lennox, George, even Rudolph, to name just a few, must be turning in their graves, unable to rest in peace, with what is taking place with the Steel Pan In Trinidad and Tobago today.  But, let me make mention to those who may be ignorant of the facts. The Steel Pan is a Spiritual Instrument, Steel tempered with Fire, and those who play with fire without understanding, would normally get burn.

The history of this unique instrument shows where men have sacrificed limb, life and family for its preservation. During the early stages of its evolution, society despised and labeled them outcasts. The Police used to take pleasure in running them down and mashing up their instruments before taking them to court. The Magistrate branded them rouges and vagabonds and showed no sympathy, sending them off to Jail for disturbing the peace with their noisy Instruments (I believe that law is still on the statutes of T&T). But, in their destitution they found a sense of spiritual fulfilment that kept them to the task, so that this generation inherited something to make the world respect us as inventors.

But many of them were forced to migrate, and because of the Steel Pan Instrument they found appreciation, acceptance and a better life across Europe and the Americas. Some, without any form of academic accreditation, were accepted in foreign Universities to teach and preach the gospel of the Steel Pan Instrument to a whole new world.

The Steel Pan has served as a worthy ambassador to these twin Islands long before we attained nationhood, and has created more sensation and sustainable employment for many, than any other single entity one can think about coming out of this blessed land.

It has brought more unity in communities than any politician ever could. It serves as an anesthetic, to this day, against poverty and hunger to many in the disadvantaged communities. In spite of the pretended acceptance by the “society” today, Steel Pan artisans struggled long and hard to attain their present status in the society, and to find a place in our schools. And, every true Trinbagonian should be proud to say we gave the world the Steel Pan Instrument. Could we identify any other greater contribution?

When I heard the Minister of Education, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh speaking on Thursday 5^th April 2012, at the post Cabinet news conference, about transforming his Ministry’s Pan in the Classroom Unit to a new unit which he calls” Multicultural Music Programme Unit” and “Visual and Performing Arts Unit”, immediately, it raised a red flag in me. He went on to say that Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of a multicultural form of music  in the primary school curriculum, representative of the country’s diverse culture, and schools will be given a choice of musical instruments such as what exist now – the  Pan Ensemble, guitar, cuatro, African drum set, dholak, harmonium, tabla, tassa drum, xylophone, etc.

After thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that it is a very good idea to make the youths of this nation versatile and knowledgeable with all the musical instruments of the world, and musically literate too. But, this must not be done at the expense of the Steel Pan Instrument. It is common knowledge that the Steel band incorporates all the other instruments in its orchestra when necessary, according to the statement it is making in a piece of music.

So, the National Instrument status must remain pure and not be diluted in any way, especially by politics. We, in the Steel band movement, have struggled too long and hard to come now and give other conventional and non–conventional instruments a piggy back, jockey ride, cokioco into our future. Plus we pride ourselves on being the only nation that plays its National Anthem on its National Instrument.

I would like to advise that the goodly minister, sit and consult with the World Governing Body for the Steel Pan, before taking decisions that can affect the whole fraternity. This is the only way that things will work to the benefit of the stake holders.

I further recommend to the Government that they should make a bold move, and do us an honour in this our fiftieth year of our Independence, by removing  the three ships on our Coat of Arms and  replace them with the Tenor Pan. The three ships remind us of slavery and Indentureship, which represent our Pains. The Tenor Pan represents our inventive spirits, which will remind us of our Gains, our achievements.

Michael L Joseph

“Brother Scobie”

Marabella.

[Terry Samuel]

Brother Scobie,

I read many great articles on the forum about the lack of respect for the Pan in the School programme.

The only way the Ministry of Education would get the message is by members who read this article - post the article on twitter, facebook etc. at the moment 250 members read the article if you members did post this article on twitter, facebook, etc. that was 500 of this post circulating the world.

Also email the DISCUSSION to:

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Continue sharing this post daily and we will get RESULTS.......Let's use today PROTEST strategy THE INTERNET.....

[Cecil hinkson]

Hey Terry  thanks for all the email addresses you have given, I hope that one day soon fellow members on this sight will see this is the only way we will have a voice. Together we can make a difference. 

[masai hall]

There are two distinct aspects to the promotion of "Pan".  First there is the promotion/showcasing of the instrument(s).  Then there is promotion of the steel orchestra music.  It is much easier to promote the individual instrument(s) in conjunction with other conventional musical instruments(guitar,piano,horns,etc.).  Global promotion of the steel orchestra music is harder because that very unique sound of rubber on tempered steel proves difficult for most new listeners. Music teachers talk about resonance (the lingering pitch of a note).  It is that resonance factor that hinders the wider appreciation of the steel orchestra music as opposed to music of the instrument integrated into a conventional band.

[ken king]

Greetings, thanks.thank you very much for your sensible and honest comment and truthful  statement. keep it up. you have my undying support.

[Hameed Shaqq]

I am a facillator of Steelpan Educational Programs with Correctional Services in Ontario Canada. Its about time, Pantrinbago stood up to the Government and demand our rightful place.There are very few Countries on Earth that can lay claim to a National Instrument as unique as the steelpan instrument. Never before in history was a drum configured in a circle of notes to play the rudiments of music. Even, Pythagoras saw only the cycle of fifths in theory, Mr Anthony Williams certainly created a unique and ground-breaking invention. This is a Trinidadian invention and not any African, Asian or European Country. The Steelpan should be perfroming the Official version of the National Anthem. Their must be an Act of Parliment declaring the Pan our National Instrument and Official Emblem, "placed on the Coat of Arms". Now is the time for our beloved, Pantribago to move towards creating literacy programs, by turning the "pan yard" into a Steelpan Music Academy, where students can gain accreditations in music and Steelpan technology and in conjuction with UofTT. Its unfortunate that as the Steelpan continues to be represented internationally, still, local and foreign students cannot obtain certification in Trinidad and Tobago on the Arts and Science of the Steelpan. How many students may want to attend Silver Stars, Phase II, Desperadoes, Deltones, Golden Symphony, Harmonites or any other great Steel Orcherstra centres if their were provided access on the basis of a Campus?

[Salah Wilson]

Yes Brother Hameed,

Good words

We also  presented  a document entitled "A National Musical Literacy Program for the Pan Yards of Trinidad & Tobago" to Pan Trinbago in 2002, represented it in 2005, in 2008 and also in 2010.... two different administations.

Same -o same o...no results...

We also did present it to the Ministries of Education, Culture, Community developments  in the former governmnet even our own Pan man Junia Regrello....same results

Well we presented it again to the new Ministry of Arts & Multiculturalism in the present  Government... we are waiting to see the results ( but not holding our breaths)

Salah

[Salah Wilson]

Certainly by all means Race, Class and environment and practical situation of a people is the core or ( the soul) which gave birth to the Pan. there is a great similarity with the birth of blues and Jazz by a Race, Class, environment and practical situation of a people in the USA and quite similarly the Samba in Brazil. the roots alll stem from where .."Mother Africa".
but the point and not straying from Brother Scobie's Topic is that the T&T government by trying to put all these other instruments invented in these other countries in the Pan context in the school stands to dilute the progress of the Pan in the school.
We are not saying that they should not have these other instruments in the schools ..we are saying that they should emphasize on strengthening the Pan programs in the public schools of T&T.....and anyone is an activist if they are being active in promoting and having their say ...like you brother Ghost
Peace
Salah

[Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks]

Have a great evening, Salah. Peace.

GHOST.

[Salah Wilson]

Nuff respect brother Ghost

Salah

[Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks]

Until you ALL understand that RACE and CLASS has EVERYTHING to do with the issues facing local steelbands, we will continue on this futile endeavor to solve the problems the local industry faces. The conditions of the worker in any industry, determines whether that industry survives or eventually implodes into rebellion, resistance, revolution and eventual anarchy. I hope we are wise enough, to not allow this to happen to the steelband industry, by, again, addressing the needs and concerns of the local, unknown steel band "worker" (craftsman, tuner, player, flag woman and man, engine room "mechanics", etc.), whom, in all this rhetoric about the instrument, has become the unforgotten native "inventor" of the instrument you all claim to love, and some, to be activists for.

GHOST