RisingStars Educate Yourself

RISING STARS YOUTH STEEL ORCHESTRA
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES

The Rising Stars: Pathways to Success

Carnival on St. Thomas would not be complete without performances by the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra. Their lively rhythms and upbeat style have the whole world dancing to the beat of steel pan music. Serving as Goodwill Ambassadors of the Virgin Islands, the band has performed in places as far away as Taiwan and Japan,

Rising Stars members performing on their patented double-decked Mobile Stage Rack (Trolley) during the Carnival Parade on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

as well as at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California; the Lincoln Center, Javits Center, and Crown Plaza Hotel in New York City; the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.; and, the skyline Stage in Chicago, Illinois.

The Rising Stars have also performed all over the Caribbean at venues such as the Queen’s park Savannah in Trinidad; on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; in Christiansted and Frederiksted on St. Croix; and, for President Bill Clinton during his visit to St. Thomas in January 1998. They have

Rising Stars members perform on their double-decked Trolley during the Carnival Parade on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

even made appearances in movies Weekend at Bernie’s II; on such TV programs as Good Morning America and had a brief appearance on the Today Show in November 2001.

The Rising Stars Program has received numerous accolades for its success - including being rated in the top 10% nationally in the “Innovations in State and Local Government” competition sponsored by Harvard University and the Ford Foundation; being named the Grand Prize winner in the national Arts & Entertainment Television competition, “Breaking Barriers”; and being listed in the U.S. Senate’s “Catalog of Hope” as one of the best prevention programs operating in the United States and its Territories.

The amazing success of the group is due in part to one man’s vision and is a tribute to the determination and drive of St. Thomas’ young people. The Rising Stars program was started in 1981 by Judge Emeritus, the Honorable

Rising Stars members performing during their Annual Christmas Concert at Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts in St. Thomas,US Virgin Islands

Verne A. Hodge, who had become concerned with the increasing number of criminal offenses committed by young drop outs. He developed the Rising Stars as a crime-prevention program whose aim is to keep kids from dropping out of school and to guide them toward obtaining a high school diploma and plan for the future. Its success grew quickly and it eventually developed into a year-round program, receiving worldwide attention and praise.

The requirements for the participants, who range in age from 10 to 18, are very strict. Members must be students who, with the consent of their parents or guardians, agree to comply with the Rising Stars’ Oath: “I promise to obey the rules of the Rising Stars; to stay in school and fully educate myself; and to conduct myself in a decent manner at all times.”

They follow a stringent code of behavior, including completing homework before practice, maintaining passing grades, abstaining from drugs, alcohol or tobacco, obeying household rules of parents and guardians, and following instructions of the band’s leaders and staff members. Anyone who violates these rules is subject to probation, suspension or expulsion from the group, although every effort is made to avoid these measures - including providing tutorial services to students who need help. The result has been a graduation rate of over 90% of the participants in this program, with a large number going on to continue their education with assistance from the organization’s scholarship program.

“Children are the greatest asset in any community,” says Glendia B. Caines, who has been working with the Rising Stars since 1995 in the capacity of the Associate Director of th

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Comments

The Steelpan Store March 15, 2010 at 8:18am

I agree with Michaele, a huge THANK YOU is in order to everyone that made this video possible! It's great to see young pan players, and everything in this video was well done from the music to videography to the message! Great job, and THANKS!!!
Michaele March 5, 2010 at 4:15pm

Thanks again WST fo sharing this inspiration video. Thanks also to all the teachers involved in this great endeavor and my hats off to the young pannists. Wonderful job. Still chilly here in St Petersburg, FL and this helps me keep on Caribbean dreamin'
Vaughn Audain March 5, 2010 at 9:28am

I founded the original Rising Stars out of St. Croix USVI and we assisted Judge Hodge in the formation of the St.Thomas Rising Stars through the Territorial Court.

I was not able to see the video, not sure what is wrong with this feed.

Irie,
V
Christopher McMaster January 17, 2010 at 3:53pm

RISING STARS YOUTH STEEL ORCHESTRA
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES

The Rising Stars: Pathways to Success

Carnival on St. Thomas would not be complete without performances by the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra. Their lively rhythms and upbeat style have the whole world dancing to the beat of steel pan music. Serving as Goodwill Ambassadors of the Virgin Islands, the band has performed in places as far away as Taiwan and Japan,

Rising Stars members performing on their patented double-decked Mobile Stage Rack (Trolley) during the Carnival Parade on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

as well as at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California; the Lincoln Center, Javits Center, and Crown Plaza Hotel in New York City; the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.; and, the skyline Stage in Chicago, Illinois.

The Rising Stars have also performed all over the Caribbean at venues such as the Queen’s park Savannah in Trinidad; on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; in Christiansted and Frederiksted on St. Croix; and, for President Bill Clinton during his visit to St. Thomas in January 1998. They have

Rising Stars members perform on their double-decked Trolley during the Carnival Parade on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

even made appearances in movies Weekend at Bernie’s II; on such TV programs as Good Morning America and had a brief appearance on the Today Show in November 2001.

The Rising Stars Program has received numerous accolades for its success - including being rated in the top 10% nationally in the “Innovations in State and Local Government” competition sponsored by Harvard University and the Ford Foundation; being named the Grand Prize winner in the national Arts & Entertainment Television competition, “Breaking Barriers”; and being listed in the U.S. Senate’s “Catalog of Hope” as one of the best prevention programs operating in the United States and its Territories.

The amazing success of the group is due in part to one man’s vision and is a tribute to the determination and drive of St. Thomas’ young people. The Rising Stars program was started in 1981 by Judge Emeritus, the Honorable

Rising Stars members performing during their Annual Christmas Concert at Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts in St. Thomas,US Virgin Islands

Verne A. Hodge, who had become concerned with the increasing number of criminal offenses committed by young drop outs. He developed the Rising Stars as a crime-prevention program whose aim is to keep kids from dropping out of school and to guide them toward obtaining a high school diploma and plan for the future. Its success grew quickly and it eventually developed into a year-round program, receiving worldwide attention and praise.

The requirements for the participants, who range in age from 10 to 18, are very strict. Members must be students who, with the consent of their parents or guardians, agree to comply with the Rising Stars’ Oath: “I promise to obey the rules of the Rising Stars; to stay in school and fully educate myself; and to conduct myself in a decent manner at all times.”

They follow a stringent code of behavior, including completing homework before practice, maintaining passing grades, abstaining from drugs, alcohol or tobacco, obeying household rules of parents and guardians, and following instructions of the band’s leaders and staff members. Anyone who violates these rules is subject to probation, suspension or expulsion from the group, although every effort is made to avoid these measures - including providing tutorial services to students who need help. The result has been a graduation rate of over 90% of the participants in this program, with a large number going on to continue their education with assistance from the organization’s scholarship program.

“Children are the greatest asset in any community,” says Glendia B. Caines, who has been working with the Rising Stars since 1995 in the capacity of the Associate Director of th
Glenroy R Joseph January 17, 2010 at 2:25pm

This outstanding youth band hails from St Thomas, USVI. There is a comprehensive article about the band on this forum . I guess they want us to find it ourselves.

Apparently, this organization does great work musically and socially, and deserves to be in the spotlight, especially on "When Steel talks"
Christopher McMaster January 17, 2010 at 1:25pm

Questions first. Where is the band from, What is the occasion? What is the music? Where and when was it recorded? Who are the players? Why is there no data on it?
It sounds GREAT and it is the type of video we should circulate to our peers and children but we must tell them who, what, where, when why and how.
Nicholas D Mohan January 17, 2010 at 8:57am

Excellent.

This reply was deleted.