Monday, August 9, 2021
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia
In its bid to ensure the preservation of steel pan playing on the island, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) is currently hosting its Steel Pan Training Summer Programme.
The training programme, which runs from August 3 to 27, is being held at the National Cultural Centre at Barnard Hill, Castries, and targets young people between the ages of 7 to 20 years old.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, the Music Theory Class runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon while the Practical Class runs from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Registration fee is $70.00.
Meanwhile, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Practical Class runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Registration fee is $40.00.
The Music Theory Class is being facilitated by Gregory Piper while the Practical Class by Hausan “Zorro” Griffith, both of whom are long-time proponents of steel pan music in Saint Lucia.
Up until 2014, the CDF organized the annual Junior Panorama Competition, which was a platform for developing and growing the larger steel pan orchestras in Saint Lucia. For many reasons – including lack of funding – the CDF has not been able to host the Junior Panorama Competition for the past seven years.
CDF Executive Director, Raymona Henry-Wynne, says this has resulted in the dwindling number of steel pan orchestras locally. She says the current summer workshop serves as a step in the revival of steel pan because of the instrument’s powerful appeal to capture people’s attention.
“We believe that offering the necessary training to youngsters is a stepping stone in rebuilding the platform towards us hosting the Junior Panorama Competition in the near future,” Henry-Wynne said. “Working with young people who have an interest in learning the theory and practical aspects of steel pan would result in a cadre of youngsters who will not only be able to play the steel pan but also read music.”
Henry-Wynne said the CDF realized that steel pan orchestras continue to make in-roads by participating in international competitions which requires having knowledge of both the theory and practical aspects. Hence, the reason for the CDF teaching the youngsters both aspects.
She said that while there are many musicians on island, very few of them specialize in the reading and writing of steel pan music, noting that Piper and Griffith have both been making a significant mark in developing people’s aptitude for playing steel pan music.
Between 2016 and 2017, the CDF began its community steel pan training programme, targeting Soufriere and Canaries. Recently, youngsters from Jacmel also expressed interest in learning the craft. Over time, the CDF hopes to extend its programme across the entire island.
“It’s very important that we keep steel pan playing alive so that present and future generations continue the legacy started by people like Gregory “Shining” Emmanuel and others who have popularized the art form locally,” the CDF Executive Director stated.
She added: “After we would have trained them, we intend to provide the youngsters with the necessary technical support to ensure that their interest in the craft remains. But we’re also hoping that the various communities take ownership for the continuation of the steel pan programmes after we would have given them the start.”
“I think there’s a lot of potential for steel pan throughout the year,” Henry-Wynne said. “There are also many job opportunities that exist within the creative industries for the art form. If we continue to put steel pan in the spotlight only during the Carnival season, then much of the gains and interest we would have made in the art form would be lost for the rest of the year.”
Last month, the CDF unveiled its new 25-piece steel pan set branded the Cultural Development Foundation Steel Pan Development Programme. The new steel pans come in handy as the CDF plans to reintroduce its after-school steel pan training programme in the new school year to ensure that steel pan playing is not seasonal.
Registration for the CDF’s Steel Pan Training Summer Workshop continues. Call our office at 1 (758) 457 9021 or 1 (758) 452 1859 for more information.
(ENDS)