GOLDEN Hands has surged to the forefront of the Ensemble category of the Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Music Festival, despite the death of its founder and leader Franka Hills-Headley, while preparing for the competition on August 7 at Naparima Bowl, San Fernando.
The band scored 543 points, 12 points ahead of its closest competitor, Phoenix, to qualify for a place in the finals, scheduled to take place on August 17 at Queen’s Hall.
Her daughter, Vanessa Headley-Brewster told the Newsday, the achievement is bittersweet.
“Going into this after mummy passed on Thursday (August 1) was difficult. I mean it was a given we were going to continue. I could not wrap up shop and start to mourn because she was working down to the wire. Wednesday night she rehearsed with the group.
“Out of all the times we have prepared for anything, I felt personally she really poured all into this festival. It meant a lot to her. So, we went into the festival with that mandate to demonstrate what we always say is the gold standard.
“We practiced straight down from Friday night up until the performance at Naparima Bowl and when it was time to execute, it was very emotional, especially on stage and even the atmosphere there. I was told people were crying in the audience and crying on the live stream. It took something for us to hold it together.
“At the same time, it wasn’t that hard because we just wanted to do that for her. It was bittersweet. We just wanted to demonstrate the pure pan excellence. That was mummy’s whole thing and that is just what we did.”
[caption id="attachment_1101606" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pan Elders perform in the orchestra category of the TT National Steelband Music Festival at Naparima Bowl on August 7. - Yvonne Webb[/caption]
The bands winning pieces, David Rudder’s Oil and Music, the test piece was arranged by a former Golden Hands member, Joshua Bedeau, who is presently studying for his second master’s degree at Northern Illinois University (NIU). The tune of choice, Rhapsody in Blue was arranged and adapted by Headley-Brewster.
She explained how special these pieces were.
“Joshua actually came from NIU to see the performance in person. Coming out of the band, this was a life-long dream for him, having Golden Hands perform one of his arrangements. He also attended mummy’s funeral on August 8 at SAPA.”
She further explained Golden Hands was the first steelband to play Rhapsody in Blue, on pan.
“It was originally written for piano and orchestra. Pan Am North Stars played an adaptation accompanied by Winnifred Atwell on the piano, but this was the first time it was played purely on pan.
Wednesday night also signalled the start of the Orchestra category, with three bands in Pan Trinbago’s South/Central region – NGC Couva Joylanders, T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps, and Pan Elders – kicking off the competition, also held at the Naparima Bowl.
The orchestra leg of the competition will continue in the Tobago, North and East regions.
President of the Senate Nigel de Freitas
