With just days before Pan Trinbago celebrates World Steelpan Day on August 11th, members of the steelpan fraternity came together to mark another significant milestone: the unveiling of two new Pan Trinbago songs, composed by musician Clive Telemaque.
Described as a moment of steelpan history, these powerful musical tributes celebrate unwavering leadership, the steelpan movement and the spirit of World Steelpan Day.
Musician Clive Telemaque explained the inspiration for the piece, ‘Unshaken Queen of Pan’, which honours Pan Trinbago President Beverly Ramsey-Moore.
“But you know, there’s a lot of us who always give a lot of praise to our President indoors, and nobody coming outside to express how they really feel, you know? And I feel it’s an opportunity for me to express how I feel to the whole world in song.”
The other piece, named ‘Players’ Achievement’, celebrates the journey of steelpan players from outcasts to international icons.
“It takes me back to way from 1932, when pan players was, they used to cast us as outcasts, vagabonds, hooligans, all this kind of thing, you know? And today, we have a lot of pan players and master degrees, doctorate, professors, all that, you know? So having studied tests, and past through all those degrading remarks that was cast upon us, we are now turn a corner, where 90% of our youths is playing the steel drum.”
Pan Trinbago President Beverly Ramsey-Moore expressed gratitude for the tribute, noting that the song ‘Unshaken Queen of Pan’ gave her strength to continue leading despite years of criticism and challenges.
“So when you put that together, you have blessed me. You have given me the strength to continue to take this mantle along with my central executive and all my member bands.”
Mrs Ramsey-Moore expressed hope that young people in the steelpan movement will build on the example set by past generations, drawing inspiration from composer Clive Telemaque as they continue advancing the nation’s musical instrument.