Pan and Percussion
Concert at the University of the West Indies
As part of the Centre for
Creative and Festival Arts Showcase Concert
Series, "The Rainmakers",
a concert featuring the steelpan and percussion
instruments will take place on January 5th
2008 at the University of the West Indies,
Trinidad campus. This concert showcases
Golden Hands and the UWI
percussion ensemble and incorporates some
traditional Carnival characters through music,
theatre and dance. The second half of the
concert is a theatrical production written by
Franka Hills-Headley called “the Rainmakers”
featuring all new music composed specifically
for pan and percussion by Dr.
Jeannine Remy. Tickets are available at the
Centre for Creative and Festival Arts 1 (868)
663-2222 or 1 (868) 662-2002 ex 2510.
Centre for Creative and Festival Arts
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
Presents
Golden Hands
The Rainmakers
January 5th
2008
Learning Resource Centre, UWI
7.00 p.m.
The dramatic framework of "The Rainmakers" was
written by Franka Hills-Headley with music
composed by Dr. Jeannine Remy, of Centre for
Creative and Festival Arts, UWI.
This
is comprised of eight original compositions for
the instruments of the steel orchestra and
percussion ensemble, which includes marimbas,
xylophone, timpani and much more. "The
Rainmakers" production will feature a wide range
of genres performed primarily on the steelpan.
Performances will incorporate solo, duet,
quartet, ensemble and orchestral works, on the
full range of steelpan instruments. Various
percussive devices and instruments, dance, voice
and drama will highlight the production. This
production required the networking and
collaboration of young musicians with each other
and with professionals of Centre for Creative
and Festival Arts, UWI. Golden Hands steelband
was founded by Franka Hills-Headley, the
Director of the production, approximately 14
years ago.
The production will be staged in honour of Dr.
Anne Marion Osborne - Coordinator of Music,
Centre for Creative and Festival Arts, UWI - and
Bertrand Kelman, master steelpan builder and
tuner.
Further information is available from the
Creative Arts
office - Telephone:
1 (868)
663-2141/
1 (868)
663-2222 (direct
lines)
or
1 (868)
662-2002 ext. 3622/ 3791/ 2376 or; E-mail Franka
Hills-Headley:
frankelgolden@hotmail.com or
Marissa.Brooks@sta.uwi.edu.
Golden Hands
In
collaboration with
The University
of The West Indies
Centre for
Creative and Festival Arts Showcase
Presents
The Rainmakers
INTRODUCTION:
In April of
2007, Golden Hands Ensemble and soloist
Vanessa Headley were invited to perform two
original pieces (US composed for Steelpan
Ensemble by Vanessa Headley and Tropical
Moods for Double Seconds composed by Dr.
Jeannine Remy) This was one of the feature
performances at the launch of MUSICANOVA,
a competition that offers young composers the
opportunity to create new music This is a
special project of The Music Literacy Trust.
Following this, Golden Hands was again the
special guest of the Faculty of Humanities
showcase of the Visual and Performing Arts. It
was at this point that Mr. Satanand Sharma,
Department Head of The Centre for Creative and
Festival Arts (CCFA), invited Golden Hands to
stage a production for 2008 that would feature a
range of musical genres performed on steelpan.
This would be the second such showcase of the
CCFA that is geared to engaging and presenting
the artistic endeavours of community groups.
Golden Hands Founder/ Director Franka
Hills-Headley welcomed this prospect and set
about writing an original dramatic piece
structured in such a way as to feature the
steelpan and to utilize other artistic elements.
CONCEPT:
The Rainmakers are an elite company of musicians
that have been veiled in the earth until a
defining moment, for a specific purpose. The
precise moment of their unveiling, by their
sovereign -The King of Rains, occurs during a
season of severe drought that has lasted some
seven years. The earth has been burnt to a
crisp, and the inhabitants are on the verge of
dying. This means that all life-giving music
has ceased. The dastardly actions of an evil
monarch, The King of Drought, have almost
succeeded in annihilating the entire landscape.
The first
Rainmaker hears and responds to the voice of her
Lord, the King of Rains, and emerges out of her
deep slumber. As she rises, she begins playing
a beautiful melody in worship. The strains of
this song rise through the heavens to the King.
Tiny drops of moisture ascend to the heavens.
The other Rainmakers are energised and soon, in
concert their music produces a little cloud that
would sprinkle rain on the earth. Their
communal efforts produce a manifestation of a
sparkling new musical expression that transforms
the desert space into a luxuriant paradise.
The reigning
King of Drought is subjugated. The King of Rains
is enthroned.
FORMAT:
Musical featuring a wide range of genres
performed primarily on the steelpan.
Performances incorporate solo, duet, quartet,
ensemble and orchestral works, on the full range
of steelpan instruments. Various percussive
devices and instruments, dance, voice and drama
will highlight the presentation. The show will
incorporate a few traditional Carnival
characters.
The first half
of the production will highlight all the Golden
Hands students, from the toddlers to the teens
on the steelpan. There will be a special guest
performance in this segment. During the second
half The Rainmakers will be staged.
RATIONALE:
The steelpan
music culture of Trinidad and Tobago revolves
primarily around the Panorama event. The
cancellation of the 2006 World Steelband
Festival as well as this year’s National Junior
Steelband Festival, have both contributed
significantly to the erosion of steelband
performances.
This
does not paint a bright picture for our unique
National Instrument. This production of Golden
Hands seeks to broaden the scope of steelpan
performances by featuring a major original work
such as The Rainmakers. The
preparation required ensures the development of
the musicianship of our young pannists and
provides avenues for their holistic development
as performers. The concept of pan in the 21st
century must encompass the marketing of the
instrument in new idiomatic ways, both locally
and internationally. To this end, the
presentation of music specifically composed for
the steelpan, will definitely revive the
interest of many pan music lovers while
simultaneously creating a new audience. For
sure, audiences that have been deprived of
enjoying the intricate performances of
steelbands, for the past three (3) years, will
be finally afforded the opportunity to do so.
The production of The Rainmakers has required
the networking and collaboration of our young
musicians with each other and with professionals
of The Centre For Creative and Festival Arts.
The Golden Hands Youth Executive has accepted
this mantle quite responsibly. Finally, but of
no less significance is the maturing of our own
young composers. This is strongly being
addressed by The Music Literacy Trust who has
endorsed and will be significantly contributing
to this venture.
OBJECTIVES:
To
present the National instrument in a dramatic
context with other supporting artistic
contributions
To add
significantly to the body of original music,
composed specifically for the steelpan.
To
provide the opportunity for the musical and
artistic development of the eighty (80) students
of Golden Hands
To
provide an avenue for interfacing and
collaboration between students of Golden Hands
and experts in the visual and performing arts of
The U.W.I. and the community
To
provide an opportunity for the students of
Golden Hands to participate in a staged
production
GOLDEN HANDS:
This
steelband was founded by Franka Hills-Headley,
the Director, approximately fourteen (14) years
ago. With the assistance of Dane Hinds,
Assistant Director and Arranger, the band has
amassed numerous titles and trophies. The
eighty (80) young musicians of Golden Hands
range in age from three (3) years to nineteen
(19) years. The core group, the Golden Hands
Ensemble is captained by Vanessa Headley (18),
the first student of Golden Hands.
The other
executive members are:
Richardé
Bereaux - Captain II (Public Relations) (18)
Pete Braxton-
Vice Captain (19)
Chisara Bailey-
Treasurer (18)
Shivonne
Squires – Secretary (18)
Keon Marcano-
Logistics Coordinator (17)
JoElla Moore –
Publicist (18)
Janelle
Anthony- Event Coordinator (18)
The Rainmakers
Ensemble Members
Soloists
Vanessa Headley
Double Seconds and Extended Seconds
(four sticks)
Richardé
Bereaux Tenor (four sticks)
Duet/Quartet
Vanessa Headley
Double Seconds and Extended Seconds
(four sticks)
Richardé
Bereaux Tenor (four sticks)
Keon Marcano
Cello
Chisara
Bailey Bass
Other Ensemble
Members
TENORS
DOUBLE SECONDS/DOUBLE TENORS
Pete
Braxton
Shivonne Squires
Jonathan
Grant
JoElla Moore
Joshua Bedeau
Adriel Bailey
Daron
Roberts
Jon Mari Thompson
Opal Murrel
Jor-el Mc Lean
CELLOS/GUITARS
BASSES
Janelle
Anthony
Viveka Jackson
Jeremy
Cowan
Daniella Ishmael
Vanissa
James
Khyla Edwards
Anikha Achee
The Dramatic
Cast
Joshua Charles
Jonathan Spears
Caryl Hinds
Charlotte
Chadee
Tabisha Alexis
Sherelle
Squires
Dancers
Anicia
Brooks Anika
Brooks Nicola
Stanisclaus
Juffran
Baptiste Destinee
Hernandez Carolyn Francis
Atiya
Anthony Aaliya
Ishmael Hadassah Grant
Makesi
Gooding Kwandwayne
Joseph Stefan Gomez
Aseem
Jones Luke
Ramcharitar
CCFA Percussion
Ensemble
David
Aarons Aquil Arrindell
Marcus Ash Akisha Audain
Richardé
Bereaux Wendell Bernard Pete
Braxton Kareem Brown
Mikhel
Carter Rhea Chimming
Michelle Clarke Avalon
Clinton
Tinika
Davis Edana Dinali
Charlene Elcock Delesse
Francis
Ryan
Hamilton Vanessa Headley
Sophia Jemmott Kern
Keizer
Cherysh
Latouche James Radix
Shaunelle Ramesar Danielle Ryan
Marcella Marfan
Marina Marfan Anna Noel
Anthony Williams
Narrator
Franka
Hills-Headley
Titles:
National Junior Steelband Festival
– Winners in Under 21 Ensemble, Duet (Vanessa
Headley and Keon Marcano), Solo (Vanessa
Headley), Under 16 Solo (Richardé Bereaux )
Orchestra and
Quartet 2nd place)
Musical
arrangements and adaptations by Dr. Jeannine
Remy
Trinidad and
Tobago Music Festival-
champions in eight categories in 2003 and 2005
including best soloists Vanessa Headley and
Richardé Bereaux)
Musical
arrangements and adaptations by Franka
Hills-Headley, Dane Hinds and Dr. Jeannine Remy
World Steelband
Festival-
Ensemble 3rd on two occasions. Duet
2nd place Solo (Vanessa Headley) 3rd
place. Quartet 5th.
Musical
arrangements and adaptations by Franka
Hills-Headley, Dane Hinds and Dr. Jeannine Remy
National Junior
Panorama
– 2003 (Arranger) Dane Hinds 6th
2006
-(Arranger) Vanessa Headley 3rd
2007 (
Arranger) Vanessa Headley 6th
Antigua Moods
of Pan 2006 – Five Alive competition – First
non-national band to win this competition.
Arranger Dane Hinds.
Instruments:
All Golden Hands Instruments are built and
maintained by Mr. Bertrand Kelman, National
Award Winner for the invention of the Genesis
(G) Pan.
TOURS
Washington DC,
U.S.A. - 2003
Delaware, U.S.A.- 2004,2005
Dominica, West Indies- 2006
Antigua, West Indies -2006
Dr. Jeannine Remy:
(http://www.panonthenet.com/woman/2005/Drjean.htm)
Dr. Jeannine
Remy* is a native of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
She holds a both her Bachelors and Masters
degrees from Northern Illinois University and
her doctorate from the University of Arizona in
percussion performance. As a percussion and
music teacher Dr. Remy has taught at the
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Idaho State
University. As a performer she has played in
numerous symphony orchestras including: Green
Bay (WI), Idaho Falls (ID), Oshkosh (WI),
Phoenix (AZ), Pocatello (ID), Rockford (IL), and
Tucson (AZ).
During the
academic year 2000-2001 Dr. Remy received a
Fulbright Grant to research and lecture music in
Trinidad at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Two years later an ethnomusicology position
opened up at UWI and Dr. Remy left her tenured
position at Idaho State University, sold all of
her possessions, and moved to Trinidad. At The
Centre for Creative and Festival Arts she
teaches percussion, steelpan, pan arranging,
steelpan history and development, steelpan
literature, world music, music of the
Caribbean. While she has been in Trinidad she
has become the first foreign woman to arrange
for a large conventional steelband and a great
deal of her music has found its way into the
graded steelpan exam books.
This musical
composer and arranger is no stranger to T&T.
Her first panorama appearance in Trinidad was
with Invaders in 1989. Since then she has
worked with large bands such as Invaders and
Hatters Steel Orchestras. Audiences still talk
about her composition entitled “The Attacks and
Aftermath of September 11th, 2001”
[nicknamed 911] where the World Steelband Music
Festival audience listened to in awe to the
composition that brought them back to that day
in history. The entire Jean Pierre Complex
jumped to their feet and gave the longest
standing ovation for the entire evening.
Dr. Remy
connected with Golden Hands in 2004 when Frank
Hills-Headley asked her to compose a piece
Tropical Moods for her daughter, Vanessa
Headley, for the upcoming World Music Festival.
Vanessa, then fifteen (15) placed third in the
World Steelband Festival with her rendition of
this piece. Since this Dr. Remy has composed
No Pretty Laces with which Vanessa emerged
champion of the Trinidad and Tobago Music
Festival. It was her splendid arrangement of
Kitchener’s Nora, and Ole Lady Walk A
Mile and a Half, and Sparrow’s Jane
and Mr. Walker that placed Golden Hands
in Winners Row in the National Junior Steelband
Festival . On two occasions Dr. Remy’s work was
rewarded in The Trinidad and Tobago Music
Festival by the eight trophies won by Golden
Hands on each occasion.
The dramatic
framework of the Rainmakers was written by
Franka Hills-Headley and presented to Dr. Remy
who composed the music for this drama. This is
comprised of eight (8) original compositions for
the instruments of the steel orchestra and a
percussion ensemble.
Remy bio:
http://www.panonthenet.com/woman/2005/Drjean.htm
SPECIAL HONOURS:
The production will be staged in honour of Dr.
Anne Marion Osborne, Coordinator of Music, The
University of The West Indies and Bertrand
Kelman, Master steelpan Builder and Tuner.
Dr.
ANNE MARION OSBORNE
(Ph.D., M. Mus.,
B.Mus., ARAM, GRSM, LRAM, ARCM, ARCO, Cert. Ed.,
Dip. Kodaly Concept)
Anne Marion Osborne has been the recipient of
several national and international awards for
musical
accomplishment
since the age of 9. She received her secondary
education at Bishop Anstey High School and
undergraduate training at the Royal Academy of
Music and the University of London. She later
gained post-graduate diplomas and degrees from
the University of Western Ontario, Indiana
University-Bloomington and the Kodaly Institute,
Kecskemet, Hungary.
Her
history of direct involvement with Pan began in
1988 as a television commentator for Pan is
Beautiful V, Steelband Music Festival. Since
then she has continued to serve as adjudicator
at most of the major national pan competitions
in Trinidad and Tobago-panorama, pan Ramajay,
Junior Steelband Festivals and Pan is Beautiful
competitions since 1992.
However, her principal contribution to the
development of pan has been in the area of
education. From the inception of the music
programme at the University of the West Indies (UWI),
St. Augustine, in 1992, she has been its
coordinator. This involves teaching as well as
developing and shaping courses of study leading
to the Certificate in Music and the BA, Musical
Arts. The curriculum highlights the pan not
only in Performance Studies but also in the
academic areas of Music Education,
Ethnomusicology and Musicology. In
collaboration with three UWI colleagues she has
also been instrumental in the conceptualization,
development and implementation (1995) of
Graded Examinations in Solo Steelpan
Performance. The purpose of these
examinations in pan, the first of their kind
anywhere in the world, is to give young pannists
the same opportunity as those learning the piano
or violin to have their progress systemically
assessed in a non-competitive setting. The
syllabus is now in its fourth edition.
Dr.
Osborne has also been involved at regional and
national levels with the shaping of the CXC
music examination in which the pan is a
recognized musical instrument. In the pilot
stage of the examination she served as syllabus
panel member, facilitator and chief examiner.
She is a founding, executive member of the
Association of Caribbean Music Educators (ACME).
Golden Hands
students have been sitting the Steelpan
Examination since 1999. Three of these students
are currently students of the Musical Arts
Special Degree at The University of The West
Indies.
Both the
Director, Franka Hills-Headley and Assistant
Director Dane Hinds are former students of the
University of The West Indies Certificate In
Music (pan) programme.
Mr. Bertrand Kelman,
has recently received national honours for his
contribution to the building, tuning and
blending of steelpan instruments in Trinidad and
Tobago. He has worked with Dr. Brian Copland in
developing the Genesis Pan. Mr. Kelman has been
the tuner for BP Renegades and has contributed
to this band’s nine (9) Panorama championship
wins. He has also been the tuner for most of
the finalists of Panorama for the past five (5)
years. These bands include Desperadoes, Phase
II Pan Groove, Invaders, Starlift and many
others. Mr. Kelman, (the Maestro) a member of
the first National Steel Orchestra, has
travelled extensively both as a performer and a
tuner, making his mark in countries such Japan,
France , Saudi Arabia and Israel to name a few.
The exquisite craftsmanship of Bertrand Kelman
has been recognized as one of his instruments
has been taken aboard NASA's MARS expedition.
He is responsible for creating the Extended
Seconds used by Vanessa Headley in The
Rainmakers. Mr. Kelman has been associated with
Golden Hands since 1999.
Production Crew
Hazel Franco –
Dance consultant
Carlyne Pereira
– Artistic consultant
JoElla Moore
(Golden Hands student) – Rainmaker Logo
Paulette Alfred
– Costume consultant
Joanne Lewis –
Costume Design and manufacture
Anikha Achee-(Golden
Hands Student) - Costume Design
Jill Samson-
Stage Manager
Ueline Joseph –
Special Advisor
Marketing and Promotion
Wendy
Jeremy
Marissa Brooks
THE RAINMAKERS
IS A MUST SEE!
CONTACT DETAILS
Franka
Hills-Headley:
frankelgolden@hotmail.com
Marissa Brooks
Centre For
Creative and Festival Arts
Faculty of
Humanities and Education
The University
of The West Indies, St. Augustine
Trinidad
PBX:
1 (868)
662-2002 ext 3791
Tel/Fax:
1 (868)
663-2222
Email:
Marissa.Brooks@sta.uwi.edu
Web:
http://www.sta.uwi.edu/the/ccfa
Submitted by Franka Hills-Headley
Contact
me at 1 (868) 789-2279
NB:
Please contact Dr. Brian Copeland for further
biographical details of Mr. Bertrand Kelman.