Claude's question got me thinking , where do we go from here ?
Where we go from here depends on what options we think are available for the Steelband , and most of us are inside a"pan bubble" , so we see "through a glass darkly " as the bible says.
For instance, the reality is that because of modern technology , piracy , file sharing etc. traditional record sales are not as rewarding as in past years , which is why many established artists still tour.
The established music genres mastered by the Steelband i.e. jazz and classical music have limited appeal today, and the novelty of demonstrating the ability of steel bands to play complex classical pieces can take us only so far.
As a matter of fact , that has long been established and recognized.
And the modern preferred genre , the panorama tune, has yet to establish a foothold in the world of music , even after a half century.
The Steelband is losing its image associated with a partying ,carnival type scenario , and has tried to establish itself as more of a European style classical orchestra.
I do not think that image has much appeal to the youth locally and internationally , and without youth interest and support , the future for the Steelband seems to me to be rather limited.
The idea of steel bands touring internationally , wowing audiences (as was done in the past) and making decent profits seems to me to be a bit far fetched.
( Remember I'm not talking about individuals , or even small groups; I am referring to steel bands as we know them , from the stage side to the full panorama band).
It has long been recognized that the "Steelband carnival " image was a viable tourist attraction , but somehow we've taken that off the table , instead of developing it as an important cultural asset.
IMHO , the future of the steel-band in Trinidad is tied to the nation's culture, and if and when , because of economic realities, the nation decides to use the culture as a source of generating revenue to the nation's treasury, the steel bands should play a major role , and have a substantial share in that revenue.
Therefore where we go from here would depend on the government and people Of Trinidad and Tobago recognizing the social , cultural and economic value of the Steelband , and developing an promoting it accordingly.
Steel bands cannot do it by themselves.
Without a national commitment to the pan and especially the Steelband , we'll be asking the same questions , ten years from now.
Replies
Glenroy, you've asked a timely, thoughtful question and touched on several areas that have been explored to some degree. While I would be surprised by a national commitment to pan by the government or people of T&T anywhere in the near future, I prefer to look to the American music scene as the area that holds the most potential for the future of pan. Vocals drive American music globally. Whether it's R&B, hip hop, dance, salsa, gospel, classical, pop, jazz and on and on, vocalists rule. Steelpan soloists, ensembles and orchestras must be confident enough to constantly push their instrument into the recording studio behind mainstream vocalists. Imagine Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake, Shakira to Pit Bull, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Donald Lawrence and on and on. We know the instrument has mastered all the genres.
So what's the problem? Confidence, persistence and patience.
This is where we have to start…
Oswald in another post said, “I would advise the GROTT to partner with the Steel bands and use their facilities to encourage more hours of positive activity, as per home work centers, skills learning, music literacy, sound production, events management, anger management, Steel band management, etc. In sum, if you develop the participants, the Nation and the product must improve."
Several studies have shown US students in Math and Science are still rank around the middle of the pack in international comparisons, and behind many other advanced industrial nations. They are #1 when it comes to self-confidence and still competing to reach the top.
We have to start training our young musicians in confidence building, giving them goals to achieve, motivation, inspiration and mentor-ship to help them advance the music and the steel band movement. The journey may be long but the destination is worth it. The future of the steel band is in their hands.
Glenroy, the funny thing about all this is, I don't think the people in the Mecca gives ah shit, once they have panorama they are contented
Sorry about that , Cecil.
I think Claude has me spooked :)
Excellent passage, Glenroy!!! I am sure that you were addressing Cecil's question and accidentally attributed it to me. The future should be shaped by RECORDED PAN MUSIC ... eliminating all the elements you dismissed! And that can be done best by EXPATS right here in North America.