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THE CARNIVAL IS OVER
“….the crowd is gone….
Not a Band, nor a Mas is around to perform
an indication the carnival is over.”
Kitchener
Now that carnival 2006 is over we can all begin to address to
steelband movement in light of programs planned for carnival 2007 by
the government. Word has it that the government intends to break
down the grandstand and complete the Pantrinbago headquarters. Now
that we have one year to plan before the above takes place I am send
Pantrinbago this wish list of things that I would like to see
happening in the steelband movement before Carnival 2007 and the
completion of Pantrinbago’s new headquarters whichever comes first.
After the death of Master Clive Bradley last year, I immediately
emailed Pantrinbago and requested that they name the Panorama first
prize trophy after Master Bradley. They chose instead to honor
Master Bradley by dedicating Panorama 2006: “In Tribute to Master
Clive Bradley”. So, maybe the time was too short (to get all the
stakeholders on board) or the idea too revolutionary or non-tribal
to consider my request which was to name the Panorama first prize
trophy “Master Clive Bradley Panorama Trophy” in honor of the late
Clive Bradley. But, now that the carnival is over I wish that
Pantrinbago would reconsider my request and gather the stakeholders
to discuss my request and see it fit to do the right thing. Those of
us who saw the Panorama or heard from panjumbies who saw it attest
that Pantrinbago did a poor job of honoring one of our pan heroes (I
heard that Pantrinbago said that the person responsible was late
with the posters). Even the steelbands did not pay homage to one of
its own. Of course, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra did the right thing
by displaying Master Bradley’s pictures all over the band. Since
Pantrinbago failed to do the right thing I am giving them another
year to rehearse and rename the panorama first prize trophy after
Master Clive Bradley for carnival 2007.
Since the beginning of Panorama in 1963, the modern steelband
movement of Trinbago has been evolving to the extent that today
steelbands can be found in almost every country in the world. But,
as the evolution continues there are differences in each development.
Today, the primary steelband movement can be found in Trinidad under
the auspices of Pantrinbago led by Mr. Patrick Arnold. This
organization has the responsibility of seeking the steelbands’
interests and promoting said interests. Among the things it does is
to negotiate greater prize monies from the government for the
different steelband competitions it holds around the country. It
also has a web site that gives a brief history of the steelband
movement, carnival news and brief profiles of different panists and
pioneers of the steelband movement. As the world governing body for
the steelpan they successfully held the World Music Festival last
year at Madison Square Garden in New York City. But, one is tempted
to ask if that is the limit of Pantrinbago’s contribution to the
steelband movement. So here is my wish list for 2007.
I would like to see Pantrinbago solicit the University of the West
Indies (UWI) to create a University Chair for the study of the
steelband movement. Monies could be sought from the local businesses
and the government. Added to this Chair, I would like to see UWI
house the National Steelband Library and bring all the artifacts,
histories, books and recordings (video, DVD and cd) of the steelband
movement under one roof. In the land of the steelpan this is not
asking too much. If we are to take seriously the claim that the
steelpan is our national instrument then we have to protect its
legacy. People from all over the world should be able to go to the
UWI Library for Steelpan Studies and get all the necessary
information regarding the steelpan and the steelband movement. All
articles on the steelpan and the steelband movement should be
collected and placed in that library. UWI already holds symposiums
on the steelpan and its history but more needs to be done. I would
like to see all the schools in Trinbago implement compulsory music
classes from primary level to college. In the land that created the
only instrument of the 20th century we should be
musically literate. Also, there should be more focus on the arts in
schools. The call for musical literacy is relevant now that panists
and steelbands are traveling throughout the world. The steelpan and
steelband is no longer restricted to the shores of Trinbago. As our
panists travel around the world knowledge of music can greatly
assist them when they meet other musicians or are called upon by the
media to speak about the steelpan. Let me make this distinction.
Perhaps exceptional panists like Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, Ray Holman,
Robbie Greenidge and the other great panists may not have the need
to learn music having picked up some theory over the years, but, we
should be preparing the next generation of local panists to be
musically literate. I believe that knowing music can greatly help
them in the orchestration of the steelband orchestra.
The annual Panorama competition that is the most important pan
activity in Trinbago provides the most music at any one time. But,
most of that music is not scored although the competition produces
some beautiful musical gems. As a result, only the tunes that are
recorded (and that is few) last for prosperity. I try to collect all
the steelband music from the preliminaries through the finals. I
would like to see Pantrinbago record on their web site all the
steelband statistics for each panorama. Such posting should remain
so that panjumbies can review. We need to develop a true steelband
culture like baseball, football, hockey or basketball. These popular
American sports provide vast amounts of information on the web for
their followers. The steelband deserves no less. I wish one day that
I would be able to go to Pantrinbago’s web site and find any
information I need about the steelband movement.
Now that the government decided to break down the Grand Stand at the
Queen’s Park Savannah that housed the Panorama competition it may
provide an opportunity for innovation. I wish that the new structure
solves the problem of the long length of time it takes for each
steelband to get off the stage and set up their instruments to play.
Perhaps a revolving stage could suffice so that each steelband will
be ready to go on stage as soon as one steelband completes their
tune. The time it takes for each steelband to go on stage is too
long. This calls for innovation from Pantrinbago to rearrange the
panorama competition in light of their attempt to market the
panorama. A new venue calls for new ideas. They should demand input
as a vital stakeholder in the panorama competition. I urgently
request that Pantrinbago not let this move to hurt the steelband
movement. There are many who would like to see the steelband
separate from the carnival. I hope that this is not the beginning of
that route. We need to strengthen the steelband movement so that it
can take its rightful place in the 21st century. This is
the time for Pantrinbago to implement its “Strategic Plans for the
Steelband Movement”.
The steelpan has long outgrown its narrow stage in the Panorama
competition held each year. Today, the steelpan is used in other
conventional orchestras where the reading of music is necessary to
follow the various scores in those orchestras. In the past, some
have questioned the relevance of knowing musical theory when it
seems that local panists get along fine playing any type of music
(from classic to calypso). After all, they claim that panists do
fine at the Mecca of all pan competitions, the Panorama held at the
Queens Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad. For the steelbands,
Panorama is the high point of their musical journey. To win a
Panorama championship is the dream of every steelband. And, having
won a Panorama it lets the world know who is in charge.
For too long there have been suggestions for building a concert
hall, teaching panists to read music, putting pan in schools,
standardizing the instrument, making the steelband an employment
engine for the unemployed panists and marketing steelband music.
While all these ideas are very good the record shows that few of
them have been realized. A closer look at Pantrinbago’s web site
will not reveal any contribution to the enhancement of those ideas.
I would like to see Pantrinbago produce better Panorama steelband
CDs, Videos and DVDs. I would like to see steelbands rid themselves
of those cumbersome and distracting canopies at the Panorama
competition. They have outlived their purpose and are a distraction
to the audiences who are looking at their performances on Videos and
DVDs. They remove them for the Music Festivals so why not for the
Panorama.
Next, I would like to see Pantrinbago reorganize their executive
board to reflect members of the business community, professionals
and civic organizations like the Rotary Club and the Chamber of
Commerce. They must bring the steelband movement into the 21st
century and that means that Pantrinbago has to rearrange to face
this great challenge. Another item I would like to see change is the
membership arrangement that Pantrinbago instituted years ago. I
believe that instead of registering only steelbands as members
Pantrinbago should also register individual panists and charge them
an annual fee for membership. Membership should bring such
privileges as a minimum wages for playing at clubs and other places
of entertainment. Also, I would like to see Pantrinbago honor its
founders going back to the 1950s when the first Steelband
Association was established. Their stories should be told on
Pantrinbago’s web site. Also, Pantrinbago should put up pictures of
all the past presidents of the Steelband Associations. One president
of note is the late George Goddard who worked hard in the interests
of the steelband movement. Also, he is the only president that wrote
a book about his experiences in the steelband movement. A laudable
contribution indeed! I would like to see Pantrinbago make the public
aware of the book and make sure that the book remains in print. One
may disagree with some of the things Mr. Goddard said in his book
but nevertheless it is an historical document and should be read by
all panists and pan jumbies.
Most importantly, I would like to see the steelpan penetrate the
musical culture of its adopted countries. Here, in America, you do
not see the steelpan incorporated in the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra, Detroit Symphony in Michigan, Philadelphia Orchestra in
Pennsylvania or Boston Symphony in Massachusetts. Why is that so?
One may not care anything about those orchestras but they do
represent ‘high’ culture in America. I am sure it is the same for
England and other European countries. Why should the steelpan be
separate? After all, it is an instrument and with the proper pitch
can fit into any orchestra. As the steelband movement takes root in
America and Europe I would like to see them involve the steelpan in
their musical culture by having their conventional orchestras
incorporate the steelpan as a lead instrument. So far Europe has
avoided competitions or Panoramas. They prefer concerts and that is
okay. New York and London are following the Trinbago model because
there is a large Trinbagonian community in those cities. Also, it
was early Trinbagonian immigrants who established the carnival
there. London’s Notting Hill carnival and New York’s West Indian Day
Carnival are the largest carnivals outside of Trinidad.
Another thing I would like to see is the standardization of the
instrument whereby a panist from anywhere can play a steelpan from
any steelband without having first to learn the position of the
notes from each steelband. More so, I would also like to see
Pantrinbago involve the Trinbago government and businesses to build
a concert hall dedicated to pan music. The concert hall should be
named after a prominent steelband person or early supporter of the
steelband movement. Many people have contributed to the growth and
development of the steelband movement and their names should live in
memory. A few names come to mind like George Goddard, Beryl
McBurnie, Rudolph Charles, Ellie Mannette and Anthony Williams. Each
contributed to the development of the steelband movement. Mr.
Goddard dedicated his life to improve the lot of the steelbands, at
times putting him at odds with the late Prime Minister Dr. Eric
Williams. Ms. McBurnie put her status and reputation at risk by
supporting the steelband movement at a time when it was not popular
to do so. Mr. Charles was a role model of a captain who taught the
steelbands that they could use the courts to settle their
disagreements with the judges instead of fighting on carnival days.
He also led one of the premier steelbands of Trinbago, Desperadoes
Steel Orchestra. Under his leadership, Desperadoes used outside
tuners like Emanuel Jack, Ellie and Birdie Mannette from Invaders
which was an innovation in those days. Mr. Mannette gave the modern
steelband its voice with his method of pan tuning. He changed the
tone of the steelpan by rearranging the notes and added more notes
to the instrument. Anthony Williams introduced the fourths and
fifths concept to the steelband orchestra and was captain of another
leading steelband of the 1960s, North Stars Steel Orchestra.
Most importantly, I would like to see the government of Trinbago
follow up on Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s speech a few years ago
when he acclaimed the steelpan to be the national instrument of
Trinbago. Now it is Mr. Manning’s turn to put legislation where his
mouth is. The government should pass an Act of Parliament making the
steelpan the true national instrument of Trinbago. I believe that
Pantrinbago should put that item on the top of their 2006 agenda
after carnival and petition the government to pass the Act before
the next election. I know that every Trinbagonian believes that the
steelpan is the national instrument of Trinbago but it is not a
legal claim. An Act of Parliament would tell the world that the
steelpan is a creation of Pantrinbago and that the people of
Trinbago take that claim seriously. If the present government has
trouble formulating a resolution here is my suggestion. The
resolution should be signed by all parliamentarians and could read:
“Whereas the steelpan has achieved prominence all over the world as
an indigenous Trinidad and Tobago art form bringing the nation
outstanding artistic expression and has made it a unifying force for
all Trinbagonians bridging cultural, religious, ethnic, age and
gender differences in our diverse society, it is resolved that it is
in the nation’s interest to preserve and celebrate this unique art
form known as the steelband. Therefore, we declare that the steelpan
is designated the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago to
which we will devote our attention, support and resources to ensure
that it is preserved.”
The reason for my above wish lists is because I believe that the
steelband movement in Trinbago seems stalled. The overall
accomplishments since 1963 has been the improved prize money for the
various competitions: Panorama, Pan in the 21st century,
Pan down memory lane, bi-annual Music festival and Pan Jazz. Yet,
the steelband movement does not own its concert hall dedicated to
the instrument. The bi-annual Music festival is still being held in
a sports arena (Jean Pierre Complex). The majority of local panists
are still from the working and unemployed class. The top 5
steelbands of the nation: Trinidad All Stars, Phase II, Desperadoes,
Exodus and Renegades are still the ones who win the Panorama
competition since the 1980s. That means that only one of the top 5
arrangers: Smooth Edwards, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Pelham Goddard and
Jit Samarroo stands a chance of winning the Panorama competition.
The problem is that Pantrinbago has taken a back seat in moving the
steelband movement in other directions. So the real questions may
be: Has the steelband movement reached its pinnacle in Trinbago? Can
we expect more of Pantrinbago? Is Pantrinbago doing all it can for
the steelband movement? Should we expect a small country like
Trinbago with over 100 steelbands and many more panists, especially
at carnival time (when each of the competing 13 bands has 100
panists), to be able to manage and provide for such a large quantity
of steel orchestras? I don’t know the exact budget for all the
steelband competitions but if the 1st prize for the
winning steelband is $400, 000.00 and all the appearing steelbands
receive some appearance fees then it is costing quite a large sum of
money to operate. Is this money being put to good use? Are the large
sums of Panorama money being spent improving the steelband movement?
Is the steelband movement providing jobs for local panists after the
carnival?
Now, here are some of the things I would like to see the steelbands
do. Every steelband should have a pan web site with its history and
achievements. Every steelband should put up pictures of their
founders in their panyards. For example, one should be able to go to
the Desperadoes steelband panyard and see pictures of Rudolph
Charles, Speaker, George Yeats, Beah on their walls. Steelbands
could organize once a month classes for their members to talk about
the founding of their steelbands. All steelbands should make sure
that their members read Pantrinbago’s constitution and bye-laws to
see if their interests are being represented by Pantrinbago. They
should get more involved in Pantrinbago and settle their
disagreements according to the process in Pantrinbago’s constitution
and bye-laws.
I would like to see steelbands demand that the government spend some
of the oil boom revenue to build a first class concert hall for the
steelband where Trinbagonians can be proud of their musical
contribution to the world. Steelbands should demand jobs for their
members who are jobless or training for their members who lack the
skills to seek employment. Steelbands should petition the government
to own the land upon which their steelband stand. The title to the
land should afford them the opportunity to use it as collateral for
investments if they chose. Also, the steelbands should take a second
look at the concept of Pan Theatres. They were popular in the late
60s but are no longer around. Each steelband should have their own
Pan Theatre where they can sponsor shows with the steelband as the
main attraction. In this age of globalization where space is getting
smaller and smaller I would like to see the stelbands encouraging
their panists to take the lead and learn music.
During the 1960s the government organized sponsorships for the
steelbands in exchange for tax right offs to the businesses. Under
the sponsorship arrangement steelbands were able to get monies to
pay arrangers and tuners to prepare for the annual Panorama
competition. But, I don’t believe that the steelbands earned any
monetary gains from that arrangement. I would like to see the
sponsorship arrangement replaced with a new financial arrangement
for the steelbands by proposing a
steelband fund to be
developed between the government and local businesses to support the
steelbands. This fund will allocate monies to different steelbands
according to their needs. The steelbands will be required to submit
a budget proposal to the fund committee outlining their financial
needs for the coming year which will include monies for arrangers,
tuners, conductors, concerts and building maintenance. Since the
major event for the steelbands is the annual Panorama held in
February or March the budget should be submitted in July or August
of the previous year. Each steelband would have to give an
accounting of monies spent the previous year before being considered
for funds for the coming year. This arrangement will provide
transparency and accountability for the steelbands which will teach
them independence and self-responsibility.
Of course, steelbands should be required to keep books and records
of expenditures subjected to annual inspections by the fund
committee. The fund committee should be comprised of members from
the business community, the Minister of culture, Pantrinbago
executive member of their choice and a member of the legal community
to keep everyone honest. This should not be seen as a replacement
for the government’s financial contributions to Pantrinbago but an
attempt to give the steelbands financial responsibility for their
orchestras. If a steelband is found to misuse or abuse their
allocation from the fund without a meritorious excuse then like all
business arrangements they should go out of business. There are over
one hundred steelbands in the country many of which struggle to
survive so if they squander their monies they should go out of
business. The steelbands must begin to see their music institutions
as businesses that must be responsible to the taxpayers who will be
providing their financial resources.
Lastly, I would like to see the Trinbago government use the
steelbands as a catalyst to provide real jobs and social improvement
for the steelband fraternity in the areas where there is high
unemployment and poverty. Also, the government should build a
national steelband museum to house the history and artifacts of the
steelband movement. It is reaching a time when all the steelband
pioneers will not be around for us to hear their stories. The
history of the steelband movement should be included in the nation’s
schools curriculum. Surely, this will produce a sense of national
pride in our national instrument.
In keeping with our love for music and the arts I would also like to
see the government build the
Beryl McBurnie Performing Arts Center where the nation’s
best music and artistic endeavors can be displayed. Ms. Burnie was
our first diva of dance and staunch supporter of the steelband
movement. I would like to see the
Freddie Kisson Performing Arts
Center in San Fernando, the nation’s second capital.
Mr. Kisson was one of the first male Trinidadian dancers
who made our nation
proud. The diverse
nature of Trinbago has produced chutney soca, best village, picong,
calypso, soca, steelband, parang and a multiple of different sounds.
Certainly, these artistic models should be given an arena the nation
can be proud of to display their talents. In the colonial era we had
Queen’s Hall but nothing compared to it has been built since. Why
not? The government has money to buy guns from foreign countries why
not spend a few dollars on building a proper performing arts center
for the nation. I call on all panjumbies to reach out to Pantrinbago
so that discussions can begin now that the carnival is over.
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