The year 2007 is dedicated to having new members in the band. With the majority of the members in college, and or working, it has become imperative that we seek new members to continue the wonderful tradition that the members of St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra have developed over the years. We are presently holding classes at the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center, 1100 E. Fayette Street every Wednesday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. All interested parties are invited to come and be part of the best playing steel drum orchestra in Baltimore. Amidst all this activity we continue to perform at the Inner Harbor, and the numerous invitations to perform at cook outs, weddings, church activities, block parties, birthday parties, to name a few.
After participating in the Virginia Arts Festival for the fifth consecutive year, being named the champion band for two consecutive years, and awarded gold on each occassion, we believe the time has reached where we have to look ahead to other festivals. Participation in this festival has become very costly with no financial returns to compensate the cost. This opportunity is also taken to say "Thank you" to the Rotary Club of Columbia who contributed $900.00 towards our expenses for this year's participation. Over the years we have developed a large following, some of these fans come to the Virginia Panorama Arts Festival only because of our participation. We do apologise for this decision and is very sorry that all our fans and supporters would not be hearing us at this festival within the near future. If the organization is interested in having us as a guest band maybe we will appear on stage again.
We participated in the Harbor View Festival in July, defending our championship title which we won for the last two years. There were nine bands participating this year. From Baltimore, Harbor Knights Youth Steel Orchestra and St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra, from Washington DC Pan masters Steel Orchestra, and Panjammers Steel Orchestra, from Philadelphia, Philadelphia All Stars, and from New York, Higher Levin steel Orchestra, Utopia Pan Soul, Hearts of Steel, and Women in Steel. Philadelphia All Stars came first and St. Veronicas Youth steel Orchestra third.
Our "Feeding the Homeless" program continues. Two other areas have been added to our normal Central Ave visit, they are Fayette Street, near the post office, and the corner of Falls Way and Gay Street which was eventually closed. Special thanks to the Walters family, the Allyne family, and Ms. Charmaine Gomez for their continued support in this venture. Special thanks goes out to kitty Caplan and Ellen Morris from the Cardiology Department of John Hopkins Hospital who continously contribute to the "Feeding the Homeless" program. Their generosity is deeply appreciated.This project is spearheaded by Anita Mc Farlane and Vivian Walters, their support has been overwhelming.
The year saw many changes in our usual program and in our membership. We did not participate in as many performances as we had done in the past. Our new music was limited because of not having a permanent arranger. The Bess family migrated to Texas and Andromeda Bacchus went on tour with a performing company. Tenika Prawl and Khandeya Shepherd tendered their resignation, we wish them all the best in the future. We lost some board members and gained some new board members. We did not participate in the Pan Masters pan jamboree but took part in the Washington DC pan jam. We did not perform at the First Night in Williamsburg in December as we have done in the past two years.
In December we graduated 8 new players from the pan classes that were held at the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center. These graduates were all invited to be part of the St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra. The success of the pan classes has been mainly contributed to the teaching of Ashley Brown, ably supported by Ayana Allyne, Amamda Campbell, Frances Oglesby, Antoinette Walters, and Sade Mc Farlane. Special appreciation must be expressed to those members who are attending college and are also working but still make themselves available to be there for the band when needed.
The City Arts Grant of $1000 was received from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Mayors Office. The Family League of Baltimore awarded us a grant of $12,000 for the 2007 - 2008 period. Our thanks goes out to Dr. Thomas Trail of the Cardiology Department of John Hopkins Hospital, an ardent supporter, for his continued financial contributions to the organization. We also want to say "Thank You" to John and linda Rieman, strangers to the organization, for making a financial contribution. Not much fundraising was done during the year except the raffle which was a success. We look forward to obtaining as much assistance as possible for our areas of greatest concern being transport of the equipment and the members, and our facilities where we practice. There is need for us to obtain a 12 foot cargo van that could hold the equipment and at least a 15 seat passenger van to transport the members. Our largest expenditure is transportation. Practicing in a 16 foot by 16 foot garage with no fixed heat is not the best way of encouraging and motivating these young people. We will continue to do what we do best, be there to support these young people, provide sweet music, feed the homeless, and be role models to each and everyone as much as possible.
SEE YOU IN 2008. GREAT THINGS LIE AHEAD. THATS MY BAND