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Contact:
Julita Peter
Thursday, July 15, 2004 - Five bands are scheduled to perform at this
year’s National Steel Bands Panorama Championships slated for Friday July 16,
2004, at the Vigie Sports Complex from 8: p.m. Under the theme “Bringing Youth
to the Fore”, the 2004 championship will introduce two new segments.
“This year we are looking at recognizing outstanding young people in each band,
and we will be giving a token to the youngest player of each band, so that the
public can see the extent to which youth in represented in steel pan. We have
some 10-year olds and nine-year olds who are playing pan and I think it would be
very encouraging to other young people out there, to see that they have been
brought to the fore,” said Public Relations Officer of the St. Lucia National
Steel Bands Association, Ncruma Lucien.
Mr. Lucien believes that steel pan as an art form can be used for shaping some
positive aspects of youth development: “Steel pan helps students, in terms of
discipline, time management and a sense of determination in striving towards
what they would like to achieve. Steel has been instrumental in giving the youth
something constructive to do, and has penetrated many secondary schools. We are
even going into the Primary School now.”
The participating steel bands are, Degicel Pantime, Caribbean Metals North
Stars, Cable and Wireless Diamond Steel, Courts Babonneau Steel Orchestra, and
Busta Emerald Steel Orchestra.
Amongst the prizes for this year’s outstanding player is the Leornard “Scrub”
Wellington Trophy.
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