Trinidad and Tobago International Conference on The Steelpan
CALL FOR PAPERS
Pan Globalization: Progress and Possibilities PanTrinbago will be hosting an International Conference on the Steelpan from May 6th – 8th 2012. In the 50th year of independence of our nation, this conference will create a single forum for exposition and engagement with diverse lines of action and inquiry around our national instrument.
The theme of the conference, Pan Globalization: Progress and Possibilities, provides a unique opportunity for musicians, academics, entrepreneurs, trade and tourism representatives and pan aficionados from across the globe to share experiences, perspectives and ideas on the steelpan. In addition to showcasing best practices in a variety of spheres of pan performance, management and development, the conference will generate rich and synergistic discourses that will inform and shape the globalization of the steelpan in the 21st century.
Interested persons are invited to submit abstracts for consideration by the Conference Planning Committee on the following sub-themes:
· The Evolution of the Steelpan
· The Technology of the Steelpan
· The Steeelband as a Community Phenomenon
· Steelpan: World Movement
· Pan in Education
· Pan as a Social Intervention
· Steelpan Music and Its Development
· Steelpan Repertoires
· Making a Living with Pan
· The Pan Industry: Myth or Reality?
We invite you to share your knowledge, experience, thoughts and plans on these themes at the important inaugural conference through the preparation of papers which will be considered for plenary or session presentations. The time allocated for each session presentation is fifty (50) minutes. Plenary presentations will run for one hour. The abstract of your paper should not exceed five hundred (500) words, should include a brief bio-profile of the presenter(s) and should be submitted to steelpanconference2012@gmail.com no later than February 29th, 2012.
The Conference Planning Committee will respond to all submissions by March 16th, 2012.
Replies
Not enough time was given for intrenational members to respond to this call. Posting was 2/27 and submission was 2/29. Pan Trinbago to get the optimum response, posting for the international fraternity should have been done the latter part of last year 2011. I believe that we to have something to say on some or all of the proposed topics. I am still looking for your calendar of events for this year. Timing is everything!
I hope that members take advantage of this opportunity to submit papers.
I commented on this on Facebook earlier. But let take this opportunity to again express my dissatisfaction that (1) the call for papers was not made earlier, and (2) the conference organizers more than likely did not take into account the academic calendar of (many) universities in the US and the 37th Annual Caribbean Studies Association (CSA) Conference. While it may not be difficult for someone involved in pan research to develop a paper in a few months, the logistics of planning to attend a conference (sourcing funds, securing time off, making travel arrangements, etc.,) requires more time. Plus, May 7-11 is final exams for most US universities on the semester system. Thus, it would be rather difficult for professors from the US to take time off to participate. Further, CSA's conference (probably the largest annual gathering of Caribbean scholars) is scheduled for Guadulupe, May 28-June 3. Many colleagues make the commitment to participate in that conference in June of the previous year!
Nevertheless, my blessings to the conference organizers (I was told that it was not Pan Trinbago) because such a conference is necessary. I hope the deliberations help to elevate pan to the level of importance necessary in the economy and society. I am just disappointed because Pan Trinbago, UWI, UTT, Niherst, etc. dropped the ball by not planning such a conference years earlier to ensure wider participation. They missed two opportunities to organize a major international gathering of pan scholars: the 50th anniversary of TASPO and Independence. What happened Byron? Kim? Chalkie?
relevant and timely. Hope this is done in a vein with the progress of the steelpan and culture in mind and not for selfish ends which has been part of the retardation of this rich industry......
will share