World Steelpan Day was a significant development in the history of the pan movement. The day was declared by the UN on July 24 and will forever be marked on its calendar on August 11.
But there are many more milestones the organisation hopes to meet, Pan Trinbago’s president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said.
Growing the industry with specific attention to manufacturing and export is its first goal.
Ramsey-Moore said, “Our main focus at this time is the development of the industry. When we talk about the industry, it is not only about the manufacturing of the instrument, but the heavy focus on our export markets, getting into continents.”
She said the UN’s declaration of an international day for pan allowed the world to stop and take notice. This helped in the instrument’s promotion and awareness.
The organisation wants to further develop markets on the African, European and Asian continents, she said.
She said one of the first things it must do to grow its export industry is to establish international pan ambassadors.
“We have our people out there, but it is just that we need to re-organise and strategise as to how we can get through.”
Ramsey-Moore was pleased with the work being done by the Akua Leith-led Musical Instruments of TT Company Ltd (MITTCO). The company – Leith’s brainchild – is a musical instrument manufacturer and its first line of products is pans. MITTCO is based in Diego Martin.
“We now have this major factory producing pans, and other accessories to go with it, and that is major step in terms of the development in the country.”
Another major focus for the organisation is pan in schools. There is the non-governmental Pan In Schools Coordinating Council and the Ministry of Education-headed National Schools Panorama Title, held yearly.
[caption id="attachment_1029650" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore - Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]
Ramsey-Moore said she wanted more attention paid to pan in schools.
“Pan, as being Trinidad and Tobago’s invention, I would really like to see it being the main instrument used in our schools.”
With the instrument’s global recognition, Ramsey-Moore and the organisation also hope to look more at streaming and synchronisation possibilities. Performance and recording are also high priorities on the agenda.
This is an area the body needs to work and improve on, and hopes to do so with the help of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).
Ramsey-Moore added that it was very important in terms of how pan music is recorded and sold.
“This thing is so big, and that is why we are so pleased there is this huge opening, the global acceptance and it is definitely going to open up a lot of doors for us.”
Discussions about streaming and synchronisation were to be had by all stakeholders, she said, and have already started.
“We are definitely going to facilitate that discussion. The time is now. The enabling environment has been created by the Government and as such all stakeholders must come on board.”
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