Here’s the Chinese Steel Ensemble

The Chinese Bicentennial Steel Ensemble is the brainchild of Franco Siu Chong and was formulated on March 26. The primary objective of the band is to demonstrate the integration of Chinese into the various cultural influences of our country through music, via the one medium which is totally local — our national instrument, the steel pan.

This band consisting of 27 members will provide musical entertainment at the events scheduled for the celebrations marking the Chinese Arrival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Larry Lai was given the task of formulating the ensemble and he held discussions with the management of Excellent Stores Silver Stars, PCS Starlift and Harvard Harps Steel Orchestra in order to use their surplus instruments.

A recruitment drive was undertaken and soon the band took shape. The Chinese Association in St Ann’s was to be the official “panyard”.

Players comprise youngsters from the age of nine, to teenagers and adults well over 50 years, from schoolchildren to business owners. They have all developed a mutual respect for each other’s abilities and regard each other as fellow players with no discrimination.

And why not? Nine-year-old Elijah Lee plays tenor, double second and double guitar. He is the North Champion Music Festival 2006 winner and holds a distinction Grade one from the UWI Centre of Arts and Culture.

At the launch Chinese steel ensemble played songs showing off several influences such as “Brazil” (Latin), “Bat Ban Jaye” (Indian), “Shaka Shaka” (African) “Waltz in D Flat Major” (European) played by Elijah Lee.

History was also created on Saturday in St Ann’s when traditional Chinese instruments such as the Er-Hu, Yer Woo, Toon Kam and Mook Kam (all string) were fused with the steelpan. The ensemble also provided accompaniment to a vocalist performing authentic Chinese songs.

Three arrangers Roy Edwards, Douglas “Dougie” Redon and Jeremy (Skies) Abraham were instrumental in putting the music together for the band.