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Please see quoted below a letter I have sent to the Press in response to Pantrinbago's latest innovation:

The Editor

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you Pool coordinator and Pan Trinbago officers for this ingenious solution to encourage the youth to learn, play and enjoy the National Instrument

When I read Pantrinbago’s announcement of a new element in the Panorama – Pan Splash -my first feeling was horror, then deep sadness and finally amusement. Bad enough that we have to continue with the Greens which pose stiff competition to pan lovers who want to hear the staged event.  But surely, the INTERNATIONAL body for the national instrument would understand that this   ‘Girls Gone Wild ‘  type event is just another manifestation of the blatant disrespect and disregard of our heritage.

Culture Minister Lincoln Douglas was willing to accept Diaz’s explanation that the event would “facilitate the involvement of young people in associating with the Steelband and that the people who participate in this event are those to listen to, and play pan eventually. They (Pan Trinbago) are more versed in these things than I am and my concerns have been answered in that way,”

Michelle George: Event co-coordinator of the Pan Splash- “for re-education of the young people and rethinking the art of entertainment, in regard to the national instrument. We believe that young people need to integrate and be taught how to appreciate the pan, and the point of going on The Greens was for the pan, so it’s not a concept that means to take away from the pan because we are making sure we do not interrupt the pan at all, and once a band is on-stage, the Jumbotron goes up and all other music in the area is ceased, so all the Pan Splash patrons will be able to see and hear the Steelbands as they perform and compete.”

George further described the pool as a marvelous idea, a much cooler gimmick to get you into the pan and trick you into enjoying it”.

I would suggest that other organizations, bodies, whatever……follow the leader

 (1) That Churches have a Pool and Greens to TRICK parishioners to the return to church. 

(2) That Police Stations have a Pool and Greens to TRICK informants into reporting crime and abuse and TRICK miscreants to stop their criminal ways.

(3) That Schools have a Pool and Greens as an excellent gimmick to TRICK the students into book learning and good behaviour.

(4) That every community have a Pool within a four block radius to TRICK residents and stop them from burning tyres and distract them from the ills in their community.

(5)  That every home has a pool to help parents TRICK their children into staying at home instead of running away.

(6)That every Government Office building has a Pool to TRICK Public Servants into coming work on time, staying at their posts and becoming more productive.

(7) That every prison have a Pool to TRICK the officers and prisoners into believing that they are living in a five-star hotel and all is well.

And finally

(8) Every Steelband have a Pool and Greens so that their players could be TRICKED into staying their own Panyards, generate their own income and TRICK themselves into thinking that Pantrinbago [the world governing body for Steelbands] is championing their cause with dignity, creativity and integrity.

Wake up!  Band leaders,  Pannists – this may well be the last Panorama that really is about the  National Instrument.

The culture of Panorama - Steelbands, the Drag, the Barber Green, hot sun, meeting long lost friends, arguments, pelau, corn soup, macaroni pie will be an “ole ting” replaced by phi, e-pan, pool, jumbotron, tents, caterers, misting machines, changing rooms, air-conditioned VIP rooms. The price of progress is high [King Austin} Bring back the old time days [Nappy Mayers].

 

Sincerely,

 

marie diane dupre

 

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I would like to congratulate my son Hanif Goodridge for his bands performance in the recent Single pan competition, they did not make it into the semi final round, but he made a great effort, he was the youngest arranger in the 2014 single pan competition, and also his first time arranging for a panorama competition, Son the sky is the limit, you've wanted to arrange since primary school and you finally got the opportunity to do so, you would always have my support. Keep reaching for the planets and stars and never give up on your dreams, all the best hun !!!!

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Pan music Innovation

We are all tired of the same old adage year after year. I propose Pan Trinbago set up an annual Pan Music competition to help drive the musical creativity within Trinidad carnival. Most composers have little to gain from producing a pan tune and many have to incur the high cost of a quality studio production. If there was a musical Pan Tune competition... Say the first 3 tunes to have acceptance by the bands gain a winning financial fund, for example the winner would get full reimbursement of the studio cost plus a financial reward for having four or more bands play his or her tune the second have three play their tune and the third having two. This will improve 1. The creative quality of the music, and 2. The desire to keep creating year after year.
Remove the older tune plying allowance and concentrate on new creative music.
This I think would bring much needed freshness to the art form

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