Golden Hands Steel Orchestra is focused on beating a path to victory in this year’s Panorama competition as a tribute to late founder Franka Hills-Headley.
Performing Lord Nelson’s classic Mih Lover, arranger Vanessa Headley-Brewster said this year they are playing in tribute to her mother who passed away last August.
In an interview at their panyard in San Fernando during the Panorama preliminary judging in the Small Conventional Steelband category on Friday night, Headley-Brewster said they came close to not competing this year. “Originally we withdrew from the competition for many reasons, financial and otherwise, but the outcry was so great by people who would have played with us over the years. They said they want to do this one for miss, whatever it is you need, let’s get it done and it really was a family, team effort to get to this point and, hopefully, straight to the finals.”
She recalled discussions with her mother about making the 31-year-old orchestra a steelband conservatory. “What this is, is preserving our history, our present and our future.”
Noting that her orchestra caters to youths as young as three years old, she declared proudly, “We are a youth steel orchestra. That’s where the future is.”
Meanwhile, Old Tech Steel Orchestra, at their panyard in Pleasantville, was also confident of getting the judges’ qualifying nod with their performance of Lorraine.
Arranger Sean Ramsey said they had qualified for the semifinals 13 times and six times in the finals.
Recalling that the orchestra was formed in 1994 as a school band (San Fernando Secondary), but the name was changed to Old Tech in 2007, he said the objective was to encourage young people’s interest in the national instrument. The orchestra has almost 60 members from San Fernando and environs.
Ramsey said that they not only teach the art of steelpan playing but also encourage, monitor and assist children with their school work. He said they would welcome assistance from corporate T&T in building a homework centre equipped with a computer system for the members. Ramsey said educators have already volunteered to help.
“Most of the bands who will be promoting young people will want to get that type of assistance from NGOs, the Government and different businesses. But one of the things, I would like to encourage people to do is to always try to be independent. With the ‘gimme’ syndrome you will always have some problems because when people see you try to help yourself, they help you.”
The other bands judged that night included Southern Stars (D South Band) in Siparia, Southern Marines Steelband Foundation in Marabella, Todd’s Road Rhythm Raiders in Couva and Longdenville Claytones in Chaguanas.
