Blog 2.0

i've been asked several times how to create a video for posting on WST or YouTube. For you computer geeks out there this may be simple, but to others it can be challenging.

There is a free program called "Audacity" that I use to convert the album tracks to digital.

I use a USB turntable; you should be able to use a regular turntable if you can connect it to your computer.

I copy each side of the album, then use the program to export and save the individual tracks In a format that can be used , say MP3 or WAV.

Using the info from the record cover I identify each track and copy relevant info (arrangers, tune name and composers etc.)

I use a digital camera to take pictures of the album cover, etc., and upload it into my computer.

You can use any video editing software, but I use Pinnacle Studio 12. I import the audio track, import the pictures (or video) and create a video in a format that can be uploaded to YouTube or WST. I use AVI or MP4.

For creating videos from video tape, I've found that the easiest way is to use a DVD Player/ recorder that can play VHS tapes.

I record the videos one tune at a time until the DVD is full. One DVD can probably take a whole panorama at the two hour speed. ( I use re-writable DVD media, so that if I make an error I can delete and start over.)
Use the video program of your choice to convert from DVD format and save it in a format that can be uploaded. I use AVI or MP4.

I use a program called DVDfab 7.

Your web site of choice will advise you as to how to upload a video to their site.

Some of these programs are commercial programs, but there may be freeware out there that can do the same.

You should be able to Google them for more info.

For those who are not computer literate, forward this info to your friend or relative who is a computer geek, he'll know what to do.

Hope this helps.

Bp Trinidad & Tobago and the Renegades Steel Orchestra signed a document symbolizing their continued commitment to each other at the Trinidad Hilton on Wednesday 30 June 2010. The occasion was a function to mark the 40^th Anniversary of the bpTT/Renegades partnership. The Chairman and CEO of bpTT Mr. Robert Riley, President of Renegades Mr. Michael Marcano and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism Mr. Vel Lewis, signed the document. Affixing their signatures as witnesses were the captain of Renegades Ms. Candice Andrews and captain of the Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra Ms. Latoya Dufont.

Addressing the function, the bpTT Chairman and CEO said that his companies association with the Renegades has been a highly rewarding experience. ‘…Rewarding in that it has allowed us as an international business corporation to make a contribution to the growth and development of one of the most distinctive elements of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago – the steel pan. Rewarding, because it has given us the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives, livelihood, and welfare of hundreds of ambitious young men and women in this country as a whole and in the suburbs of East Port of Spain. Rewarding also, because through our involvement with this steel orchestra we have been able to showcase the musical talent of this country to the rest of the world.’

The Captain of Renegades Ms Candice Andrews had earlier welcomed guest including The President and Secretary of Pantrinbago, players of both the Renegades Steel Orchestra and the
Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra, arrangers and past captains of the band, the chairman, secretary and other representatives of the Renegades Senior Members Association, staff of bpTT and other invited guest.

Ms Andrews said that she was sure that none of signatories to the first contract between the then Amoco Trinidad Oil Company (now bpTT) in 1970, would have imagined that the relationship they so easily entered into would have blossomed into what it is today. That the signing of a little sponsorship agreement would have had the effect it did on the lives of the men and women that have been a part of the Renegades experience and by extension, on the very history and
development of the national instrument. In thanking bpTT Ms Andrews said, ‘We are eternally grateful to bpTT for their benevolence, for their mentoring, for their brand of collaboration that involves overseeing without interfering. The benefits to us, I can assure you, have been far greater than any pitfalls that may have occurred along the way.’

The President of Renegades Mr. Michael Marcano next gave highlights of Renegades history from the inception of the band in 1948 to present time. He hailed Renegades as the most acclaimed and perhaps highest profiled cultural ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago and of steel band music. The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, Mr. Vel Lewis, representing the Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, the Honourable Winston Peters who was unavoidably absent, congratulated bpTT for being a good corporate citizen.

Did any one read this comment on the Trinidad Guardian ?

Submitted by uncthat on 1 July 2010 - 10:55pm.

MURDER AT NAPA. Congrats to Minister Gypsy Peters and the Pan Fraternity for an excellent two night of

glorious pan at NAPA. We were killed with sweet pan. The ghettoes boys traded their guns for pans and murdered us with glorious music. Honourable mention to Tripolians,Desparadoes, KatzenJammers, Invaders, Fonclaire,Exodus, All Stars, LH Pan Groove, Phase II, Laventille Sound Specialist, Renegades, Skiffle Bunch and Silver Stars.

Click the Link below to read the latest edition of the Afro Beat in full !

http://afropan.blogspot.com/2010/06/afro-beat-caribana-edition_30.html

Held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Wrightson Road,Port of Spain on May 29, the Finals featured the top twelve
bands from the preliminary round. A breathtaking backdrop of illuminated futuristic
images, portraits of steelpan greats such as Bobby Mohammed, Ray Holmon, Liam
Teague, Bertie Marshall, Clive Bradley, and Jit Samaroo, and a huge monitor on
which the music video of the tune played by each band was shown prior to them
performing, lent magic to a wonderful evening of great entertainment.

Caribbean Airline Invaders got things underway promptly at the 8 pm scheduled start time. Bp Renegades came next and thrilled the audience with its
rendition of Celine Dion’s, “I Surrender” as arranged by Kenneth Guppy. The song
was played in the original ballad rhythm in the key of A-flat minor for the
entire first movement, before Guppy switched to a reggae beat. He then started the
bridge in the song in an African rhythm that he changed halfway through to a
Castian. The stepping of the players too, were well choreographed and served to
draw the spectators into the performance as the music switched to calypso then
back to a ballad, (this time played in the key of A minor) and then to funk. They
returned to the ballad again before climaxing with a well-executed cadenza
played by the band’s Ag Captain, Candice Andrews on the double-seconds and Cleveland
King on the double-tenor that brought the audience to its feet.

Sforzata, conducted by Dr Jeanine Remy, was the last band to take the stage, and rendered Jasmine Sullivan’s popular track, “Bust Your Windows.” At the end of the performance, a
female member of the band took a baseball bat to the windscreen of a derelict
car used as a prop, in which a man was sitting with another woman. The crowd
loved it and so too did the judges who awarded them the title and the $100.000
first prize sponsored by bmobile.

The Codrington Pan Family, playing Alicia Keys, “If I Ain’t Got You” tied with Renegades for second spot, while Solo Harmonites (Try Sleeping With A Broken
Heart - Alicia Keys) and Sagicor Exodus (Green Lights - John Legend) tied for
fourth place. Three bands tied for 6^th place, TCL Group Skiffle
Bunch (I Look to you - Whitney Houston), PCS
Silver Stars (I Got a Feeling - Black Eyed Peas) and Courts Sound Specialists of
Laventille (Empire State of Mind - Alicia Keys). NLCB Fonclaire (PDA We Just Don’t Care - John Legend) was ninth
followed by Caribbean Airlines Invaders (Dance with my Father - Luther
Vandross), Katzenjammers (I Promise) and Valley Harps (Beautiful – Akon) in
tenth, eleventh, and twelfth positions respectively.

The show ended at 11.45 pm with patrons fully satisfied that they had seen and heard their money’s worth in the performances. The rules of the competition
stipulated that the
twelve orchestras take the stage with no less than thirty and no more than
fifty musicians, perform a selection from the 21^st century world
beat repertoire from the year 2000 and beyond, and for not more than six
minutes. The adjudicators were Carl ‘Beaver’ Henderson, Chantal Esdelle, Sherry
Ann Saunders, and Lambert Phillip.

To the Pan diaspora of Florida; Desperadoes will be performing at the St. Petersburg Carnival.

They are scheduled to land at Miami Airport on June 11th 2010.

Love, Peace and Pan,

Ian

Check the link for the full version of Afropan's Newsletter and stay in the loop on whats going on in your pan community!

http://www.afropan.blogspot.com