Pan tuning training programme launched

THE funding of a Pan Tuning Training Programme by the Community Development Fund (CDF) is a “social investment that would impact positively on the lives of the trainees,” according to Minister of Community Development and Gender Affairs Joan Yuille-Williams.

She was speaking Monday evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, at the official launch of the programme, an initiative of the northern region of Pan Trinbago. The CDF, an arm of the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs, invested $226,000 in the programme that began on May 12 and is currently training 25 specially selected pannists from steel orchestras throughout the nation in the indigenous art. Bands they represent include WITCO Desperadoes, BWIA Invaders, Bp Renegades, Belmont Fifth Dimension, Courts Laventille Sound Specialists, La Creole Pan Groove, PCS Starlift, Spree Simon Harmonics, Solo Pan Knights, Laventille Serenaders, Woodbrook Modernaires, Panatics, Humming Bird Pan Groove and Peake’s Scrunters Pan Groove.

The Minister indicated that an approach had been made to the University of the West Indies (UWI) to give recognition to the programme and award credits to successful participants that would allow them to continue their studies to attaining degree certification.Training takes place three days per week at the Laventille Cultural Complex on the Eastern Main Road, and will continue for one year in the first instance. Subject areas of the course include: the origin of the steelpan; metallurgy; ear training; and preparation before sinking. Other components to be added later are business administration and computer literacy.

Edgar Zephyrine, director of the CDF, said the programme was providing participants with real skills they could use for their further development, “while seeking to develop the whole person.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Minister of Culture and Tourism Pennelope Beckles, who were listed to deliver addresses at the function, were unable to attend. In attendance were Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Eddie Hart, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs Eulalie James.