Bottle and spoon, grater, scratchers and wood blocks are essentials when paranderos go paranging. Contemporary bands have incorporated the flute, electric bass, Latin percussions and the steelpan in its ensemble. Now, the National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPATT) is incorporating the steepan as the main instrument in its competitions.
Michael Lezama, public relations officer of the NPATT, said they are officially experimenting with the steelpan alongside parang instruments for the instrumental leg of the competition. The competition took place at Arima Tennis Court, Railway Road, Arima yesterday. The experiment was in keeping with a new approach to marketing parang.
Interviewed earlier yesterday Lezama said, "Over the years, some bands like Los Alumnos de San Juan and Paramininos have included the pan as their lead instrument. For the first time we are introducing the steelpan officially as an instrument that will be judged alongside the other acoustic instruments."
Lezama is optimistic about getting critical feedback and constructive suggestions via questionnaires. "Patrons would have been asked to respond to questions like: What do you think about the pan as a lead instrument in a parang band? They can give honest comments with respect to pan in parang. We plan to analyse the feedback from patrons and what parang groups have to stay about it."
Among the bands that serenaded parang connoisseurs to Castilan-styled music were Amantes de Paranda, Los Amigos Cantadores, Los Pastores, San Jose Serenaders, Renacer, Voces Jovenes and Los Buenos Paranderos. Quizzed on her sentiments on pan in the parang, lead singer Alicia Jagessar, Los Alumnos de San Juan, said, "We do.
But it is not accepted as a parang instrument. It's a plus because it is our main instrument. It would be welcome if they accepted the pan. We are also for traditional instruments. Once it's competition time, we use a lead guitarist or mandolin player."
Among the bands that serenaded parang connoisseurs to Castilan-styled music were Amantes de Paranda, Los Amigos Cantadores, Los Pastores, San Jose Serenaders, Renacer, Voces Jovenes and Los Buenos Paranderos.
Itinerary
November 10:?Tribute To Icons–Tabaquite High School
December 1:?Tune of Choice Competition–YMCA, St Augustine
December 8:?Parang in the Valley–Maracas Valley
December 15:?People's Choice Competition, Arima Tennis Club
Tickets $60. Final Night $75.
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