Local News

Extreme importance of parents to steelbands

By Lincoln Depradine

They are seen night and day in and around the steel orchestras of Grenada; and, for the most part, they do not and cannot play any instrument – even the most basic two-note “doo-doop.’’

However, steelband leaders admit that their orchestras will be unable to function without them.

“They are extremely important. They are equally important as any pan player,’’ Brian Sylvester says in reference to parents who are the virtual backbone of his steelband, Republic Bank Angel Harps, and other steel orchestras.

Lime Commancheros of St. Paul’s has formalized the support of its parents. They are known as the Parent Association of Commancheros.

“They play a critical role,’’ says Stephen Greenidge, an arranger and senior pannist with Commancheros. He’s the only male member of the Parent Association.

“The parents come together as one big family. They raise funds, they cook and give general support and provide whatever help they could,’’ Greenidge explains.

Grenada’s steel orchestras are dominated by young people; many are teenage boys and girls. Parents – most often mothers – are about when the children are involved in late rehearsals, especially during the carnival season.

Some kids are shuttled to steelband engagements in their parents’ private vehicles. Greenidge welcomes the presence of the parents for another reason.

“The parents make it a lot easier to monitor the young players and to discipline them and to maintain that discipline,’’ says Greenidge.

Michael “Blaize’’ Robertson is president of the Grenada Steelbands’ Association (GSA), and arranger for Suzuki Pan Wizards of River Road.

“Without parents, we ain’t have no band,’’ Robertson bluntly states.

He relates the story of a pregnant mother, with two girls as members of Pan Wizards, remaining active around the band throughout the carnival period, and right up to the day she was admitted to the hospital to deliver her newborn.

“These parents prepare food and juice and do so many other things for the band,’’ Robertson reveals.

The story is similar at the Tanteen headquarters of Angel Harps.

“The parents give willingly and unwaveringly at a moment’s notice and they deliver on time,’’ says Sylvester, manager of Angel Harps. “They are integral to the band.’’

On Sunday, August 28, the GSA held an open-air steelbands’ concert at the Tanteen Netball Courts. The cooking and selling of French Fries and chicken were being handled by three Angel Harps regulars: parents Yvonne Francis, Kenlyn De Gale and Suzan Bubb.

Bubb’s husband, former national cricketer Wayne Bubb, and two children – ages 13 and 11 – are pannists with Angel Harps.

She doesn’t play a pan but in her behind-the-scene activities, Bubb says she feels “very much a part of Angel Harps.’’

De Gale, too, is satisfied with her supporting role and is happy that she has three children playing with Harps; a fourth is now joining the band’s “Learners’ Program.’’

One of De Gale’s daughters, Mikhalyn, passed all 10 subjects she sat at this year’s secondary schools’ CXC examinations.

Sylvester says academic success is commonplace for student-members of Angel Harps.

“These players have practice sessions that can last from 2 pm to 11 pm, and the pan helps them with their power of retention,’’ he argues. “Every year we recognize successful students. We have had 100 percent passes for kids in the band who sat CXC and Common Entrance.’’

Another of the outstanding pannists and students this year has been Tracey Francis.

The former St. Joseph’s Convent student is headed for T.A. Marryshow Community College after passing her nine CXC subjects.

“Pan not only helps them musically, but it also helps them with learning by widening their memory,’’ says Tracey’s mom, Yvonne Francis.

As well, Francis is motivated to be part of the Harps family because she is interested in keeping the pan culture alive.

“I love culture and I enjoy being here,’’ Francis contends. “I also like the togetherness and meeting new friends.’’

Certainly, there has been a revolution in pan in Grenada. It began as a men’s only movement that was scoffed at by high society as a refuge for layabouts and vagabonds.

Today, pan orchestras are nothing without women and girls who are shining examples of good musicianship; reliability and support; academic success; family unity; and enduring enterprise.

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