2009:
2009 YEAR IN REVIEW
The year began with a concert performance “Rejuvenation 2009” comprising the new members of St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra. This outstanding concert performance indicated the return of STVYSO. As the team “Rejuvenation” indicated the members performed at a very high standard. The audience was in full compliments to the performers and did not hesitate to show it by their continuous applause after each rendition. We continued throughout the year with our performances at the Inner Harbor and for the many churches, schools, community groups, companies and other organizations that contracted us to perform.
Our participation at the Pan Masters Pan Festival in May was welcomed by all. The viewing audience waited with great anticipation to hear us. STVYSO performed to the enjoyment of the crowd and for the first time that evening people were dancing to the sweet sounds of our music. It was an enjoyable evening and a good experience for our members. The DC Pan Jam in June did not come off as planned. Apparently we were the only group that was not aware that the pan jam was cancelled. The evening was spent relaxing at a nearby water park. STVYSO returned to the Harbor View Festival in July. This competition was won by us twice in previous years. The performance was great but we lacked a rhythm section and we went beyond our allotted time in performing the competition tunes. The music was enjoyed by those present and kudos must go to our arranger, Wentworth Richardson who has been providing us with good, sweet music.
We received the City Arts Grant of $800 which was sponsored by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts and the Mayor’s Office, the ROOTS grant of $13,200 sponsored by the Family League of Baltimore City and the Wiessner Foundation grant of $1900. We continued with our pan classes with the intention that we will be able to get new players coming out from this program as we did in the past.
On July 28, 2009 fifteen members and parents left Baltimore for Kennedy Airport, New York to board a Caribbean Airlines plane to Trinidad and Tobago. This was the fourth visit by STVYSO to the twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago, the home of the steel band. The visiting group to Trinidad and Tobago was housed at the Allyne’s residence in Plaisance Park, Marabella for the duration of the 2 week stay. This hospitable and very generous deed was welcomed by all and STVYSO remains indebted to the Allyne’s family. This visit was not as successful as the previous ones in terms of the many places that we were able to go. This was a result of the limited funds that were at our disposable. Nevertheless we had a good time, we enjoyed ourselves and those who visited for the first time are looking forward to the next trip. To the many folks who came forward to support us and provide for us in various ways we say “Thank You”. This support was experienced both here at home and in Trinidad and Tobago. Again we were not able to visit Tobago as a group but the Janes’ family (Ellen, Max and Jenna) were able to spend some days in the beautiful island of Tobago. The Emancipation Festival was celebrated during our visit so we were part of the celebrations. We were publicly welcomed to Trinidad and Tobago at the Laventille Street Festival which showcased the arrival of African slaves to the island and their emancipation. Later in the evening various steel bands paraded the streets playing their music. We listened to many other steel bands when we visited the Emancipation Village, where we had the opportunity to taste different types of food. Our visit to Maracas Bay (famous for “bake and shark”) and Las Cuevas Bay were other memorable occasions.
The year also saw the continued harassment of two individuals in the neighborhood that consistently complained about our playing of music in our pan yard at 3907 Hamilton Ave. They complained to the police, to the GLENHAM BELHAR Community Association, to the City and all who gave a listening ear. A petition was circulated and people near and far signed it indicating that the music was a nuisance. We became members of the Community Association with the intention that our voice could be heard and with the hope that our purpose and commitment to what we did would have prevailed. Months passed by during which time we were visited by the police, by the counselor for the area and by officials from the Community Association. We began the work of sound proofing the garage. This took much money, time, labor and much frustration. The police were happy in what we were doing to nullify the sounds coming from the instruments whenever we practiced. They stopped visiting us or responding to the complaints made by the two individuals. We practiced on limited days except when we were preparing for the concerts. It was quite noticeable that the officers of the Community Association made remarks in our presence that was quite different to that at the meetings. Donations were collected from parents and well wishers to assist in the continued sound proofing of the garage. Much research was done in the “sound proofing of a garage”.
The sound proofing process continued but it was realized that there were errors in the process of laying the sheet rock down. This further increased the frustrations but we continued to work on it. The management committee of the Community Association invited the Mediation Committee to attempt to bring all concerned parties together with the hope that some amicable solution could result. This meeting was held on Thursday October 22 and as anticipated no solution evolved. Coming out of the meeting Anita suggested that the time to move the panyard from our garage at 3907 Hamilton Ave had reached. She reminded me that our chairman Anthony Walters had suggested that we move into their community, Coldstream Homestead Montebello Community Center. We visited the center on October 23 and began work in the allotted area on October 24. The rest is history. We are proud to be in our new home, 3220-B The Alameda, Baltimore, Maryland 21218. Thanks to Anthony and Vivian Walters for their encouragement and support, to Mark Washington, Executive Director of CHMCC who opened his arms, embraced us and welcomed us and to the parents, members and their family who made it possible for our new home to be as it is today. We continue to develop the place making it as much a home as is possible.
The “Feeding the Homeless” program continues to be a great success. Throughout the year we provided hot meals, sandwiches, juices, clothing and toiletries to the hundreds of homeless men and some women who formed lines to receive what we had to offer. All attempts are being made to have more of our members involved in this program. There are so many lessons to be learned from this experience. Anthony Walters continue to lead the way in the mentoring of the young men in the group. Boys’ night is an expected opportunity that the young men look forward to similarly girls’ night led by Anita Mc Farlane is an expectation. To the many people who contribute to providing food and toiletries to this program we express our thanks.
During the year STVYSO was asked to perform “Fragile Heart” at the funeral of one of our members of the board, David Wyche. This was a great loss to his family and the music community. Hopefully his dream of steel drums in schools should become a reality in the not too distant future. We also experienced the coming and going of board members. Kamesha Norris another board member gave birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy. To the board members who have been with us “Thank You” for your support, without you Pan in the Community, Inc will not be what it is today. Your continued support is anticipated.
Ten years ago, 1999, this organization was formed. After participating in a three months pan program in the Cherry Hill community, eight of the participants asked for them to remain as a performing band. This was the birth of St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra and in 2009 we celebrated 10 years of existence. The road during these ten years was not an easy one but with the help of faithful parents, well wishers, the guidance and belief in God and the young people who loved their music we survived. We look forward to another ten years. As we look forward we have to prepare leaders who will take the mantle of success and continue the journey of using the steel drums to refocus young people into proper attitudes and behavior.
The 10th Anniversary Concert culminated yet another successful year. The performance of the members and their professional look together with the support of the parents all made the concert an outstanding one. The presence of the alumni at the concert was appreciative. Certificates were handed to those alumni present. As we look ahead to yet another year we celebrate our new home. Our dream of having steel drums in schools or having schools bring their music classes to our home for instruction is the way of the future. Pan in the Community, Inc is dedicated to these ventures.