Trinidad
- Mr. Chairman, honoured guests, leaders and members of
the BP Renegades Steel Orchestra, other members of the
Steelpan fraternity, friends and supporters.
The pleasure is mine this evening, to bring fraternal
greetings to each and every one gathered here on behalf
of the President of Pan Trinbago Mr. Patrick Arnold, who
had asked that I express his regrets at not being here
with you, matters beyond his control.
I do hope that I am an able representative, having only
recently been elected to serve as Public Relations
Officer of our organisation, however, I bring with me a
spirit of enthusiasm and progress to the organisation.
The kind that I have noticed in the other serving
members of the present executive. There is a
determination to take the Steelpan to another level, and
this must be recognised and supported by our membership.
If Pan Trinbago is to meet the challenges ahead with the
kind of success that is necessary, the Steelband leaders
and administrators must re-examine our present position
to see if we are really satisfying the needs of our
members.
It is necessary to look deep into our history, from then
to now, for direction. Let us take a brief look
into our history. The early days we struggled for
recognition and acceptance. The spirit of defiance
displayed by those early pioneers we now call PANGUARDS.
Had it not been for their determination, you and I would
not be here to sheer and enjoy this wonderful time. The
history must be told if we are to move successfully to
the next level. As Dr. Sparrow once sang. “For the
Steelpan to grow, the children must know the trials and
tribulation we used to undergo.” So, I’m saying to you,
that all aspects of the Steelband history must be told.
Today we are putting the Steelpan instruments in
schools. I am saying that the history is as important,
and must also be taught in schools. They taught us
Morgan Drake and Hawkins didn’t they?
After we had gain some recognition and very little
acceptance, competition was introduced in order to
maintain the recognition. And it was good in the sense
that it served as a stabilizer for quite sometime.
And then we recognised that the competition was
producing. We produced some master pan makers / tuners/
innovators, who we fail to give proper recognition to
this very day. We, also produced some brilliant
arrangers / composers, and some world class pannist.
And in this area the B P Renegades Steel Orchestra was
able to excel. You have made a sterling
contribution over the past thirty (30) years, carrying
the Banners and flying those Flags establishing your
Steel Orchestra as a force to be reckoned with in the
field of music and performance par excellence, bringing
a sense of pride to sponsors and supporters, and also
performing the role as great ambassadors for our country
on the many occasion that you ventured abroad. I
am also aware of the successes of your youth Steel
Orchestra, and I know that you are proud of your
achievements over the years. Give yourselves a lusty
round of applause BP Renegades.
I would like to recognise sponsors and the positive role
that they have played in the development of, not only
“Renegades” but the entire Steelband movement. Sponsors
did help to fast track some of the development over the
years, Hats off to them!
Today, there is a rapid change in the equation and, if
we in Trinidad and Tobago fail to take note, we would
have failed to maximize benefits from the Steelpan
Industry.
We have got to wake up and shake ourselves from this
dream state that we are in. The people that we
have introduced to our invention are the ones affecting
the changes and we are being left like Alice in
Wonderland, caught in the slips.
If we continue on our present course, we will continue
to produce some of the best Pannist in the world, while
purchasing the best Pan Sticks, the best Pan Cases, the
best Pan Stands, the best SteelPan Instruments, the best
Steel Drums and the best Tools from foreign countries
made and mass produced by foreigners. And you know why?
Because we are still caught up in a struggle amongst
ourselves trying to prove who is the best, while the
very foreigners we train, are selling back to us the
very thing that we conceived through blood sweat and
tears. Ironic isn't?
Visit the Steelpan website on the computer and see for
yourselves. It may shock you into the reality that
while most of us here only want to play the Steelpan
Instrument for Panorama and the likes, foreigners are
graduating from Universities and making the Steelpan
their career.
It is time now for us to change our focus. Let us
start agitating for the Government and corporate
Trinidad and Tobago to contribute towards research and
development so that we can gently hop off competition
mode and start developing a vibrant Steelpan Industry
incorporating all the artisan crafts relating to the
Steelpan, so that we can create sustainable income
generating employment for all involved, especially young
people coming out of school.
With all that I have said, I am still mindful that this
is an evening for dining, and the BP Renegades speared
no expense in preparing. So, I would like at this point
to extend on behalf of myself and the executive of Pan
Trinbago best wishes, and a peaceful and successful 2007
to all members of the BP Renegades family.
Thank You, and may the Gods of our forefathers be with
us always.
on the 30th December 2006
From News desk of
Michael Leroi Joseph
Public Relations Officer
Pan Trinbago Inc.
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