Manning: G-pan will revolutionise Panorama

BY SEAN NERO /Trinidad Guardian
Prime Minister Patrick Manning has put the steelband fraternity on alert that the emergence of the Genesis pan (G-pan) will have serious implications on future Panorama competitions.
He said he anticipated that orchestras competing in the Carnival event would no longer be required to retain their present sizes since instruments in the G-pan family offered greater musical volume.
Pan Trinbago is responsible for producing Panorama, which is funded by the State. A large conventional orchestra taking part in the competition has a ceiling of 120 pannists, 90 for medium, and 60 for small bands.
In Manning’s view, the need for a large complement of pannists would soon be a thing of the past.
Speaking at Saturday’s launch of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain, the Prime Minister predicted smaller orchestras would soon occupy the Panorama stage.
It’s the second time in less than a year that Manning addressed the future of the Panorama competition while outlining the Government’s achievement in discovering the G-pan.
He first tackled the issue during the launch of the G-pan at the JFK Quadrangle at University of the West Indies, St Augustine, on July 14, when he said Panorama orchestras would have less need for an assortment of bass pans since the new G-bass pan covered all musical ranges.
“One of the advantages of the new pan is that of the top three pans—the tenor, double seconds and the guitar—the volume you get from these pans is 50 per cent more than what you get from traditional pans; and the volume you get from the new bass, which is the real innovation, is about 75 per cent more.
“What this means is an orchestra that comprises only G-pans would be configured very differently from an orchestra with the traditional type.
“In the case of the NSSO, the overall orchestra of 36 players and percussionist would take it to a maximum of about 40.
“Initially, we anticipated a NSSO of about 60 to 70 players. We now have a NSSO with a maximum of 40 players. Innovation has brought that about.”
Manning said he believed the G-pan would change the face of Panorama despite its unresolved production obstacles.
“We unveiled the G-pan on July 14, 2007. The research took longer than expected and, more than that, the production facilities of necessity that must go with it took us and continues to take us a little longer than we expected.
“They present a challenge that was over and above what we had anticipated, but is not an insurmountable challenge.”
Manning told the Queen’s Hall gathering, which included President George Maxwell Richards and Mrs Ramjohn-Richards, that his Government’s decision to scrap the T&T National Steel Orchestra was necessary because the system under which it operated was flawed and “simply not sustainable.”
He said the musical outfit, which was constituted under the Basdeo Panday administration, was viewed with suspicion by the steelband fraternity.
“We began an approach that would have stood a better chance of survival. We began an approach, for one, that was more sustainable, and came to the conclusion that perhaps a symphony orchestra, different from all other orchestras in T&T, might be the way to go,” he recalled.
Manning said the Government spent $9.9 million to continue research that was ongoing for some time at the pan research lab at UWI, St Augustine, headed by Brian Copeland.
According to Manning, the main criteria for the Genesis project was the creation of a soprano pan with a wider musical range that did not suffer from the disabilities experienced by the present soprano pan.
“It did not take us long to realise we were onto something. In fact, that research began to progress at such a pace that we took the decision to delay the formation of the NSSO, allowing the research to produce new instruments and to take the pan one major step forward,” Manning said.
“If we were able to develop these instruments, it would be the first orchestra in the country and in the world to be equipped completely with whatever pans we developed.”

A Holiday for Kitch

Celebrate the Grand Master Lord Kitchener's birthday in cyberspace. See a list of activities at this link:
http://www.pan-jumbie.com/

mas makers parties

Save the dates and spread the word:

Mas Makers gears up for Carnaval with two smoking events; Saturday April 26, Caribbean Breakfast/BrunchOpen House at the Mas Camp. Taste delicious island specialties, sign up for your costume or just party to the latest soca music.

Sunday May 11 Mother's Day Glo. You Must Wear White. Backyard Garden Party-Steelpan Music, Popular DJ, Island Food, Complimentary Cocktail and more...

Lil' Mo' Love Steel n' Brass

Lil' Mo' Love Steel n' Brass plays their rockin' Soca Samba Rocksteady Sounds!!!!
Whole Foods Berkeley - Ashby & Telegraph (in the patio, by the front entrance)

3-4pm only! but Come Early! it's an Earth Day Festival! - lots of kool food & stuff!

Free Admission -Buy Raffle Tickets or Register to become a MEMBER OF MO' LOVE to Support the Kids' w/ Mo' Love May 25 -SF Carnaval PARTY Crew...all youth costumes, food, transportation etc is sponsored...

do your bit to give some love to youth at risk and have fun! maybe win a TRIP TO THE CARIBBEAN! + FEEL GOOD! HEAR GREAT MUSIC! maybe TAKE A JUMP! DANCE! or jus' Swing ya' Hips... at least, we'll have u tappin' ya foot!

See you there! remember to come early! shoot for 2pm if you travelin' trini time....Mo' Love,

Sistas-wit-style bandlaunching

WHEN: April 26th, 2008
WHERE: 9105 Golf Links Oakland, Ca
Info: (510) 952-6287387-7771

http://www.sistas-wit-style.com/
sistas_wit_style@yahoo.com

Exit 98th Avenue, right Golf Links straight

You don’t want to miss the excitement!!!
Designer:
Curtis Hinds

COME AND ENJOY 2008 MUSIC

Jeff Narell performs Tribute to Ellie Mannette

"Ellie Man":

"wild suburbanites" playing steel drums in Moraga!

The Lamorinda Weekly recently featured the new steel drum class at the Bernhardt residence in Moraga taught by Harry Best. Click on headlines for link to full story. The class is in its third session this spring.

Stanford Cardinal Calypso Band plays 'Under the Sea'

Harry Best and Shabang! at Tiki tom's

Harry Best and Shabang! return to Tiki Tom's this week, Friday April 4, 6-9pm, for a nother frolicking spring splash. Come out and enjoy the tropical food and drinks and dance a little.

Tiki tom's is at 1535 Olympic Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 932-9202 .

Liam Teague returns to the Bay joins CSM Panhandlers

Hello pan enthusiast!

Continuing in our lucky streak of "How did a band like this land
a guest artist like THAT??", the CSM Panhandlers are proud to
present Liam Teague, known as the Paganini of Steel Pan.

We are working on a camera/projector setup for the concert so everyone
can see that yes, he *is* really playing all those notes! It
will be a great show, for more information on Liam please visit
http://liamteague.homestead.com/biog.html

Also joining us will be latin percussionist, recording artist,
and educator Michael Spiro, along with Remi Spiro and the Nueva
School Steel Drum Bands.

When: Saturday May 3, 8pm (ticket booth open 7pm, doors 7:30pm)
Where: College of San Mateo Theater (Bldg 3)
1700 West Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo
How Much: $20 General Admission
$18 Seniors / Students / Children under 14

Tickets may be purchased in advance via check or Visa/Mastercard,
please call our ticket line at (650)568-6879 for ordering info.

Hope to see you there!
CSM Panhandlers