Jr. Panorama

My weekend was pretty eventful.

Friday we went downtown to catch a speaker at the public library, but it was cancelled so we all went out to lunch. Spent some type by the pier at a little place called The Breakfast Shed. FYI they don't serve breakfast in Trinidad like we know it in America which is mildly disappointing - however still delicious! Then we walked around town, saw a free calypso concert in a park, walked up to Simon's music store for some new mallets, and then over to Pan Trinbago. Pan Trinbago (a combination of the words Trinidad and Tobago) is pretty much an office in a run down building that is the headquarters for everything steel band in the Nation. They had some foreigner I.D.s we needed to pick up. After that we walked to get some lunch and then for the main event: Our friend that has been driving us around (and plays bass pans in Starlift) was in a singing competition for his work. He works for a company called T&TEC which is the electric company for the whole island - yes there is just one. They host a huge party for all of their employes, families, and friends each year and people sing and dance. It's complete with a live backing band, professional sound and light system, MC, back up singers, food drinks and everything. Did I mention that is free? It seems like a really awesome event for a company to do for their employees. Anyway our friend Fellie was singing and so we all went to support. HE WAS AWESOME and came away with an award. Then on to rehearsal.

We've changed the tune every single night for the last week - it is daunting. Most people here cannot read music. Therefore when we learn brand new music the arranger walks over to one section and says play A,B,C,D. Then walks over to another section and says play C,D,E,F etc. etc. We did this for about 2 hours. Once we put everything together it sounded great! It also lasted for about 20 seconds. 20 seconds of music. for the whole band. performing at tempo. took 2 hours to learn. Every single change makes the arrangement sound even more diversified and unique. Everything we do is to better the ARRANGEMENT. It's all worth while.

Saturday was rehearsal for what they call the "road tunes." It is what we will play in the street for the Carnival parade. It was a slow and long rehearsal.

Sunday was Jr. panorama. Basically an event for school steel bands to compete like I'm doing with the adults. I spent the whole day at the Savannah. The kids learn, practice, and perform just like the big bands do. Learning all the music by rote and pushing pan racks up the street and onto the stage. My friend Eric and I remarked all day about the incredible level of these young performers. While I'm sure they lack some skills our music students in America have, almost every kid down here can groove, perform, and memorize better than any child I know in America. It is quite difficult to explain in words but fascinating for me to watch as a teacher, student, and performer myself. It is certainly something I will never forget and will continually think about how I may adapt it into my own teaching process.