Thursday, July 15, 2021
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia
The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) took its steel pan training and development programme a few octaves higher this week with the unveiling of brand new steel pans.
During the unveiling ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Wednesday, July 14, CDF officials noted that the steel pan is an instrument that can be used to create positive change within society, especially among young people brimming with unexplored talent.
“At the CDF, we recognize the indelible contribution that being involved in steel pan makes to the individual’s development – his/her self-discipline and the ability to master his/her own craft,” said Celeste Burton, Deputy Executive Director of CDF. “The art form also enables them to spend time on positive rather than deviant behaviour, and helps them build social skills.”
Burton said the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with difficulties sourcing the equipment, delayed the launch date of the steel pans. Nevertheless, she said that the 25-pieces of equipment – branded under the Cultural Development Foundation Steel Pan Development Programme — is a labour of love for the organization and all those who made it all possible.
For many years, until 2014, the CDF was responsible for managing and organizing the Junior Panorama competitions. The organization was also responsible for creating opportunities for steel pan players locally, regionally and internationally at festivals and other events.
Over the years, the CDF has offered training in steel pan to the youth and adults across the island. In 2015, a music theory training component was introduced to complement the on-going practical training. . Two years later, the CDF set about procuring its own steel pans, requesting sponsorship from the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) for the purchasing of steel pans.
“We really want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the National Lotteries Authority because it’s not very often that persons invest in the development of the youth,” Raymona Henry-Wynne, Executive Director of CDF, said at Wednesday’s unveiling ceremony.
She added: “Many don’t see it having a holistic remedy to the ills of society. If corporate Saint Lucia could just give a thought to what they can do to eradicate some of the ills that exist in society, think about some of the positive outcomes for our youth, businesses and Saint Lucian community.”
Between 2016 and 2017, the CDF introduced its steel pan programme to youngsters from Canaries and Soufriere through its community outreach programme, resulting in the creation of a steel pan orchestra – SoufCan Steel Orchestra – which placed fourth in the National Panorama Competition on their first outing in 2018. Henry-Wynne said the CDF is attempting to continue that tradition of helping young people realize their true potential in steel pan and other artforms.
“Young people from across Saint Lucia’s various communities will benefit from this new steel pan equipment because we now have a set of steel pans that can move across Saint Lucia as we continue our training programme,” she stated.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, a new group of young players from Canaries called “CanBeats” played two renditions, including the popular hit, “Jerusalema”.
From 2015 to 2019, acclaimed music director Gregory Piper and veteran and multiple-title-winning steel band leader Hausan “Zorro” Griffith were facilitators of the training programmes, teaching youngsters from Soufriere and Canaries both the theory and practical aspects of the popular art form.
Meanwhile, Caron Serieux, Chairperson of the National Lotteries Authority, urged the youngsters to make the most of the opportunities being offered to them via the CDF’s programmes, adding that the NLA stands ready to build on the existing partnership with the CDF.
“Youth bring ideas, passion, innovation, unique perspectives and experiences,” Serieux said. “In turn, we should acknowledge young people as assets and creative change-makers. The NLA works in tandem with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and we have demonstrated an immense commitment to youth development, inclusive of cultural and sporting activities.”
The CDF is the primary agency responsible for the implementation of the National Cultural Policy, part of which is to preserve the art forms, cultural values and elements, and to harness and develop the unique aspects of Saint Lucia’s culture. Youth are a crucial demographic of the CDF’s mandate and a main focus group for the organization’s training and development programmes.
(ENDS)
Click here to see a performance by Canbeats. MVI_9454