We participated in the Virginia Arts Festival for the fourth consecutive year during the month of May. Our numerous fans and well wishers were there again to support us, together with a bus trip of supporters that accompanied us from Baltimore. We take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to these supporters that have traveled from Baltimore for the past two years. Eighteen bands participated this year, we received gold honors in our category. This year our repertoire of tunes comprised, Thriller/Michael Jackson, Symphony #5/Beethoven, La Gua Gua/Celia Cruz, arranged by two of the band members, Kay and Ashley, and The Bees Melody/Kitchner, specially arranged by Kristen Jones. As usual the performance was outstanding.
The Harbor View Festival took place in July at Reedbird Park in Cherry Hill. Bands from Washington DC, Philadelphia, Delaware, New York and Baltimore, a total of about six bands participated. We successfully defended our title as Champion Band by defeating all comers with our renditions of “The Bees Melody”/Kitchner, and “Save the Last Dance”/Pattie La Belle. This particular song was arranged by Wentworth Richardson, who also performed with the band. Great things are in the making with this relationship. Immediately following this competition the band for the third time, left for Trinidad and Tobago for two weeks vacation.
Our visiting group to Trinidad and Tobago was not as large as before, but those who accompanied the group enjoyed themselves tremendously. The big occasion on this trip was the purchasing of new pans which have been long overdue. We were able to purchase new pans through the grant ($15,000) received from the Community Services Grant Program. Tenors, double tenors, double seconds, triple cellos, four cellos, and tenor base, together with pan cases for all instruments have been purchased. We are indeed grateful for the support given to us by the Family League of Baltimore City, Inc. organizers of this grant. This grant provided to us will also support our new initiative “Open House” which will take place from September through December, 2006. During this period persons between the ages of 7 years and eighteen years old are invited to come and learn how to play the instrument, learn the history of the pan, its origin, and development. We have also agreed to work with the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Program housed at the Boys and Girls Club at 1100 E Fayette Street on Thursdays from 5:00 to 6:00pm beginning on September 21. Those who are interested and will like to continue will be invited to become members of the St. Veronicas Steel Orchestra. We were also blessed in receiving the City Arts & Humanities Grant ($1,500) which is funded by Mayor Martin O’Malley, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council.
The majority of our members are now attending college. Terrance and Frances- University of Maryland; Antoinette and Ashley – Baltimore City Community College; Jonathan and Kay – Loyola College; Latrice and Missy – Villa Julie College; Collin – Benedicts College; Sade – Towson University; Nikki – Morgan State University. Kish, Meda, and Antiwan are employed. Ayanna, Taisha, Amanda, and Chanel are attending middle or high school presently.
Our “Feeding the Homeless” program continues. Twice per month the members of the band and some of the parents visit the Baltimore Rescue Mission on Central Ave where they provide a hot meal, toiletries and other items to those present. Parents and well wishers are encouraged to supply items for distribution. Payments for performances, donations and other forms of monetary services could now be attended to through “Pay Pal.” We are hoping to extend our pan yard to accommodate the anticipated growth of the band ASAP. Assistance in this venture will be appreciated.
Wentworth Richardson has been retained as our arranger. He replaces Dionne Kerr. Already this partnership has brought immediate results with us retaining our championship title at the July Harbor View Festival. His ability to read and write music is an asset to the group. The members of St. Veronicas participated in music classes conducted by Mr. David Wyche. The arrangement of “La Gua Gua” and “So Sick” by Kay and Ashley, two members of the band is testimony of these classes.
We continued our performances at the Inner Harbor during the months of April through September. Large audiences continue to be present whenever we are scheduled to perform. During the Christmas holidays we performed in City Hall for the “Open House” hosted by the Governor elect, Martin O’Malley, and the Mayor designee, Shelia Dixon. We culminated 2006 with our 2nd year participation at the 1st Night of Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. We did three sessions of 45 minute performances to sell out audiences.
This opportunity is taken to extend our congratulations to the Governor elect, Martin O’Malley and the mayor designee, Shelia Dixon. May they continue to make the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore the best in the land. A blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year is extended to all our members, their parents, members of the board of directors, our supporters, and all those we come in contact with.
Special CONGRATULATIONS is given to Ms. ANITA MC FARLANE, the 2006 recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for community service, which is awarded to employees of John Hopkins Hospital. Anita Mc Farlane is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a member of the Steering Committee, and the “mother” of the band. She continues to work tirelessly for the members and their families. She coordinates the “feeding the homeless” project, and is always looking for an opportunity to support any member (new, present, or past) in their desire to progress and be the best they can be. The entire band, members, parents, and Board of Directors join in congratulating “Ms. Mc” as she is popularly referred to, for her well deserved award.