Flying High - an exhibition of artwork (logos) of steelbands, emblazoned on flags.
Two of the United Kingdom’s most respected steel orchestras have been written into history by their participation in the first ever global flag raising ceremony to commemorate steelband month in Trinidad and Tobago titled Flying High.
Mangrove Steelband: Leslie Palmer, ambassador for London’s reigning Panorama champion 2019, gets ready to hoist the band’s flag. PHOTO: STEELPAN AUTHORITY.COM
London’s reigning Panorama champion 2019 Mangrove Steelband and the respected Phase One Steel Orchestra have signed their brands to the innovative project.
Conceptualised by the Steelpan Authority, Flying High is an exhibition of artwork (logos) of steelbands, emblazoned on flags. These banners will dance in the wind above the city of Port-of-Spain, on the Brian Lara Promenade between St Vincent and Edward Streets, from August 17 to September 24, 2020
Phase One: It’s time for Phase One Steel Orchestra’s flag to fly in the sky above Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. PHOTO: STEELPAN AUTHORITY.COM
Other participating global steel orchestras are:
USA: Casym Steel Orchestra
CasymUSA: Steelpan maker/tuner Rodney Stowe represents New York’s finest…Casym Steel Orchestra. PHOTO: STEELPAN AUTHORITY.COM
Japan: Sonics Tokyo
Sonics Tokyo: Steelpan Authority ambassador Reuel Alleyne gets ready to hoist the flag of Sonics Tokyo Steel Orchestra of Japan. PHOTO: STEELPAN AUTHORITY.COM
Canada: Afro Pan Steel Orchestra
Afropan: Steelpan Authority ambassadors Reuel Alleyne, left and Sean Nero prepare the flag of Canada’s Afropan Steelband to be hoisted. PHOTO: STEELPAN AUTHORITY.COM
Trinidad and Tobago: Golden Hands, Royal Pan Illusion; Scrunters Pan Groove; Hill Toppers Steelpan Academy; T&T Defence Force; Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille; Uni Stars; Southern Marines Steelband Foundation.
Team Unity: Cultural ambassadors take part in a photo-call before their respective flags are hoisted. Avis Bruce-Brown of Uni-Stars, from left; Leslie Palmer, London-based Mangrove Steelband; Sean Nero, Japan's Sonics Tokyo; Dale Denalli, T&T Defence Force; Rodney Stowe, US-based Casym and Reuel Alleyne, Canada's Afropan Steelband. PHOTO: STEELPAN AUTHORITY.COM
“Flying High is an illustration of true cultural pride,” says Sean Nero, CEO at Steelpan Authority. “Traditionally, steelband flags go into storage on Ash Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago. Naturally, this will occur at a different timeline based on the orchestras geographical location, of course.”
He continued, “Here comes the Steelpan Authority with an original concept to illustrate how beautiful pieces of artwork, do not need to stay locked in storage. Originally, this project commemorates observances from Emancipation (the call of our ancestors) - to Independence (the story of self-governance). It is instructive to note that couched in between those two dates is Steelpan Month. But team Steelpan Authority applied for and successfully obtained a 24-day extension. Flying High will run until Republic Day (September 24) in Trinidad and Tobago.”
August 2020 marked the 28th anniversary since the steelpan was declared the National Musical Instrument of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The decision to heighten the profile of the musical instrument was made by the government of the late Patrick Manning on August 30, 1992. In his Independence Day message, the late Prime Minister declared the steelpan would become the national musical instrument of the twin island Republic. To mark the occasion, Chaconia Medals (Gold) were bestowed onto Renegades and Desperadoes Steel Orchestras for excellence in culture.
Owen Serrette, manager of four-time National Panorama champion Harmonites Steel Orchestra – a senior officer in the public service back then–was at the helm of Pan Trinbago.
Out of the new respect bestowed onto the steelpan community, Serrette and his executive conceptualised an observance to be known as Steelpan (Steelband) Week, which morphed into Steelpan (Steelband) Month.
Nero said, “It seems fated, that more than two-and-a-half decades later, steelbands have set a new course, utilising the Flying High platform, where the steelband world comes together without striking a musical note.”
For the team at Steelpan Authority hoisting of these flags to coincide with Steelpan Month represents three pillars:
· Salute the legends who paved the way (too many of them unsung heroes);
· Recognises the tremendous work being done by those in the present space and thirdly;
· Symbolise as a source of strength should those in the future be in need of such, in addition to it being a guiding light in the event any of them lose their way
Focus on Education:
Team Steelpanauthority started 2020 with Champions of The Steelpan, a radio education series scheduled for 52 weeks. It is aired during The Morning Show on radio i95.5FM hosted by Tony Lee and Dale Enoch. Mention of this project is made to illustrate that efforts by the Steelpan Authourity should not be considered as a knee jerk reaction to the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago, but rather a true enabler of a wider conversation on and about the steelpan through education.
Our Honouree:
Across the world, there exist royalty. There are dynasties. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the steelpan community has its own. One such house of royalty is the Mannette dynasty.
The Mannette name in the sphere of culture, creativity and innovation has never been in question. You must have heard the name Vernon “Birdie” Mannette of Invaders fames and of course his brother Elliot “Ellie” Mannette.
In recognising the family’s storied legacy, the Steelpan Authority proudly present the heir of the Mannette throne: Mr. Barry Mannette.
Very much like his father Vernon and uncle “Ellie” Barry is a nurturer. Although, he did not formalise a career along the line of steelpan manufacturing, as those who went before, the younger Mannette has firmly ingratiated himself into steelband culture as an educator, earning respect and winning hearts wherever he goes.
So, it is with enormous pride that team Steelpan Authority introduces Mr. Barry Mannette as the inaugural honouree of the Flying High project.
Flying High 2: Flying High honouree Barry Mannette, left and Sean Nero, CEO, Steelpan Authority prepare to hoist the Steelpan Authority flag. PHOTO: STEELPANAUTHORITY.COM
About Us:
The Steelpanauthority.com is a Trinidad and Tobago based multi-media portal built for and committed to capturing and transmitting the most accurate news specific to the steelpan lifestyle globally.
Featured sections of the Steelpanauthority.com are: Kids, News, Business, People, Women, View Point and more.
While infusing on-going efforts to further promote the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century, we are intent on celebrating the richness of the steelpan and its unquestionable universal appeal.
Utilising this website, we have set ourselves the task to cover and publish all matters related to the steelpan and the people who make and play the instrument, daily.
Through the digital pages of the Steelpanauthority.com pannists have a unique hub to tell/share their story of discovery, nurturing, experiences and of course growth in the world of music, as well as performing. This, as they explore associated career paths.
Our Partners:
Flying High will not be taking place today without the support and guidance of His Worship Joel Martinez, Mayor of the City of Port-of-Spain and Members of Council and the Governor and leadership team at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.
At a time when the local entertainment sector has gone quiet due to the impact of the global health pandemic Covid-19, a presentation such as Flying High which keeps the steelpan in focus, while activities to enable their participation have been shifted to another calendar.
Our Mission:
Education is at the heart of everything we do. We hope all categories of students, as well as, educators, researchers and administrators will turn to us at Steelpan Authority as the encyclopedia of the steelpan, as our library of music, music videos, documentaries, biographies and photo albums grows.
It is hoped that our focused on-line presence will become the preferred choice for quick, reliable and easy-to-access steelpan information today and in the future.
Yours in Steelpan
Steelpan Authority.
