Pan is on the move: An exclusive ministry for the steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago
“What else can be done for pan?” This question has been asked for decades by pan aficionados and others in Trinidad and Tobago the birthplace of the steelpan. Calypso singers and composers have made many songs relative to this question including “Pan Talent”, “Pan In Danger” “Do Something For Pan” There are indeed a lot more songs with similar references. Being also faced with this question, I had offered a suggestion as early as 2001, as relayed in an article of a local Trinidad newspaper “He believes that this change could be greatly facilitated by the creation of a ministry for pan” (Pierre 2001 -Wed March 21) (“On a mission for pan dignity”- Wed. March 21 2001- Trinidad Guardian) Over the years since 2001 I have raised the issue many times in different formats and locations, now it is the topic of an academic research.
It follows therefore that many relevant questions will be asked. A point of reference can begin with at least three general questions followed by three general answers and then a more detailed perspective of both questions and answers. This is where we commence.
(1) BUSINESS: What does the pan need? .(2) PROMOTIONS: Where can it go? (3) EDUCATION: What are additional uses for the pan?
(1) A comprehensive pan manufacture and related industries. (2) It needs to be in higher institutions of learning on an equivalent basis as string and wind ensembles. (3) A national music literacy program for the pan yards of Trinidad & Tobago.
BUSINESS : The Pan Industry:
(a) Location – State Land with enough space for expansion and growth (futuristic thinking and planning) –All related industries housed on the State Land location.
(b) Research and development (R&D) Plant –(Engineers domain)
(c) Assembly Plant (A) – Manufacture of drums …(raw material of steel)
(d) Assembly Plant (B) – Manufacture of Steelpans ( complete process)
(e) Assembly Plant (C) – Manufacture of Steelpan accessories (stands, racks, cases, sticks, miscellaneous..etc.. ..)
(f) Assembly Plant (D) – Chrome Plating, Powder Coating, Special Painting
(g) Apprenticeship Training Plant
PROMOTIONS: Marketing the pan to all institutions of learning the world over
(a) The idea of making the pan available to colleges and universities as an equivalent ensemble comparable to string and wind ensembles.
(b) Areas of target include Canada, USA, Europe, South America, Africa, Asia.
EDUCATION: A national musical literacy program for the pan yards of T&T
(a) A program that offers year round academic activities in the Pan Yards (excluding Panorama season)
(b) Converts the pan yards into Steelpan Academies
(c) The program offers accredited diplomas of different levels
(d) The program can include foreigners as students.
(e) Creates employment for a minimum of 100 people (Teachers and staff)
The next major question to be asked can be a response to the previous three related questions and answers of (business, promotions, education). “What vehicle(s) can drive and deliver the results?” A quick response can yield the following (a) The business community can do the business, (b) the tourism industry can do the promotions, (c) the education department can do the education program in the pan yards. However on closer examinations we find that the business community has had more than seven decades to be involved with the pan industry and have not responded except for a few and granted the scope of the business plan it will involve a lot of financial input. The tourism industry has not been effective in promoting its own tourism industry and the education department has not had any substantial interest in promoting academics for the pan yards. This brings us directly to the topic of our proposal for the pan ministry as the vehicle to deliver on these three questions and answers of (business, promotions, education).
The other question relates to “What constitutes a ministry in Trinidad & Tobago” for this I have put together a total of seven questions with their respective responses.(See previous posts on WST and go to the Facebook page and have your say ..https://www.facebook.com/groups/377768975711984/permalink/383467098475505/ ........submitted by Salah Wilson
Replies
This good time to revisit this subject....
We can not get away from politics...it is in our DNA.. from the time of our arrival from Africa...it was politics.....from the inception of the Pan ....there was politics...we can not be afraid of politics we all need to become politicized....... DO YOU ALL VOTE? ...if you do then why do you? ...why do you support the political agenda of voting and then come down so hard on it ...like it is all wrong ...lets take off the gloves a bit here.....it is illogical to hate politics and yet succumb to voting ... excuse the language ..but it is hypocritical ( that's the strongest word I will use).... Out here in the diaspora we have a problem of becoming politicized because we do not vote as a block and hence we have no representation resulting in us always being left out of the political process ...I am sorry but I totally dis agree with the anti-politics ...when we should now have been matured enough to hold our own in the political arena and eliminate having to go to a ministry be it culture or education or trade or tourism...when all of these areas can be in our own domain of a pan ministry ...My friends choose the side of history that you want to be on because we are presently writing the history ...there is no doubt in my mind about this position... A pan ministry is an essential element in taking the pan forward in Trinidad and Tobago
Hi Salah, I made a promise and I am here. I am in no way trying to be a soothsayer or anything of the sort. I made many sacrifices like a whole lot of people in the Pan Industry. Salah, People in Governments or those in authority do not Listen to the Pan men, you could speak the Queens English, dress in the Formal wear of the time or not. I joined the steel band movement, my first meeting was at St.Paul street with Oscar Pyle and George Goddard. I was elected as a Trustee when the Organization was named Pan trinbago. I represented the South steel bands. Presidents that Changed when I was there: Arnim,Bertie,Melvin,Roy,and Owen Serrette. The amount of Documents/paperwork that we put together to get the Movement to be a Professional body was not Appreciated. For some reason they felt that we would be able to control the votes of the Pan men and "Morph" into a Political party. That was and still might be the reason that the Organization is seeing Hell. Hence me saying that "MUSIC" is not the thought of people.The whole business concerns Music nothing else. Until we are treated as a music industry then.....
Good to meet you Carlyle especially with the rich history and experience that you bring to the table ...nuff respect Bro....What you all did was to lay down foundations and roots ....let me say this ...we cannot run from politics ...it is part of the system...... we need it and use it everyday to survive and exist...it is how the system is made up ...I am advocating that we now all become political ...we are, when we vote anyways ....why not have our own pan ministry then .Politics has been there from the inception of the pan ....from the arrival of the African to the Caribbean, from the arrival of the Eadst Indian ...and every other race ...it is all political
Salah
There is blatant disrespect for pan people, that's why the present executive body is still running things years after their mandate.
My Bro Sal. There are a Lot of Soothsayers who don't want to See this Pan Ministry bear Fruit. The Road Maybe Long and Hard but Victory will Come at the End. Your vision is 20-20. A lot of People don't have that Vision. This Project Will Bare Fruit. Who Have Eyes Let them See. Don't be disdained. A Mighty Oak Tree was once a Plant. Just keep one Trucking On My Bro. There are a Lot of People behind You Including Myself. There is Plenty Light at the end of the Tunnel. I am Sending You an E-mail as soon as I finish this Post.
Great thoughts and projections. Somehow the citizens do not consider "MUSIC": its not even an after thought to those who say that they are thinkers. Educators, business people and those who are in a position of decision making "Tunnel visioned" are the whole lot. Some do engage in Jazz and Classical music, but at the club and special concert level.....That's it. Firstly they must understand here in Trinidad and the Caribbean as a whole: that until they can respect the art form of Music as a "livable profession" We will have a Poor standard of living, morally and spiritually. I have had to leave my Country to make a living for my family and myself with music. Although other professions do the same they are respected and can Live well here. Its not so for a musician, moreso a Pan musician. Per Capita we here in Trinidad and Tobago have more persons Performing music that any other country in the world. (Pan Music).
Salah Wilson, your heart is in the right place-as we say at home- I must ask you a question. Were you ever in Trinidad and attended any Steel band meetings on Queen Street when Arnim Smith was President and George Goddard was the PRO of Pan Trinbago? If not I will further enlighten you.
Hi Carlyle ..just got in...thanks for your input on the topic ...insightful thoughts.....concerning your last paragraph.
Unfortunately I have never been in a meeting with Mr. George Goddard but I have read .about him and know of him from others. and I have been able to get a copy of his book from a friend ..it gives an insight of his thinking and concerns for pan and the pan people.
Neither have I attended any meeting presided by Arnim Smith (left Trinidad since 1973).. However I did get to meet with Arnim Smith one time at Pan trinbago headquarters when he was a senator ..It was a pleasure to give him one of my steelpan text books.
I certainly will love to be enlighten with information about these two "Pan men" and I say "Pan men" from a positive perspective ......
Salah
A Ministry For Pan will show that the Government is ready to "own-up" the steelband.
Hey remember guys ...this is now a research topic ...so your input for or against this concept is critical ...please have your say...also know that the politicians in T&T on both sides of the fence (Government and opposition) are also checking out the information. My point is that, for now the ball is in our court ( the pan people's court) so we can definitely set the agenda.
Yeah ...we know that there is a lot of "waking -up" in T&T ....But we have a million and a half people there and a lot of intelligent people ...let us do our part ....Salah