Pan Trinbago welcomes constructive discussion on the future of the Steelpan movement. However, the recent opinion piece, “Develop the Pan Orchestra Idea, published in the Trinidad Express by P. Chee” requires some clarification, particularly regarding the role of Pan Trinbago and the extent of Steelpan activity taking place throughout the year.
Pan Trinbago is not simply a Carnival organisation. It is a non-profit, non-political and independent organisation, incorporated by an Act of Parliament, Act No. 5 of 1986, the Pan Trinbago Incorporation Act, with a national mandate to promote and develop the Steelband movement and protect the interests of its members.
Pan Trinbago represents more than 300 Steelbands and approximately 8,000 Steelpan players across Trinidad and Tobago. Its responsibilities therefore extend well beyond Panorama.
It is important to clarify that Pan Trinbago funds its own operations through a range of multilevel business and revenue-generating models throughout the year. The organisation’s sustainability is not dependent solely on Government funding associated with Panorama.
Throughout the year, Pan Trinbago pursues partnerships, sponsorships, events, programmes, services and other revenue-generating opportunities that support its operations and allow it to continue advancing the interests of the Steelpan movement.
The Government engages Pan Trinbago to organise and execute Panorama, a major national cultural production involving hundreds of Steelbands and thousands of citizens. Funding provided for the execution of this national programme is therefore funding for the delivery of a specific national cultural event. It should not be misconstrued as funding Pan Trinbago’s entire operations.
To characterise this relationship as Pan Trinbago simply “begging, cap in hand” is therefore inaccurate. Pan Trinbago is entrusted with delivering a national cultural event. This is a service and partnership relationship, not charity.
Equally concerning is the suggestion that panyards are primarily places for fetes and alcohol consumption.
For generations, the panyard has been a safe and sacred community space where young people learn music literacy, discipline, teamwork and Steelband music. Many have gone on to become professional musicians, arrangers, educators and cultural practitioners.
The panyard is also an important platform for community development, cultural education, youth engagement and economic activity.
The Steelpan is Trinidad and Tobago’s national musical instrument and one of our greatest contributions to the world. Its development is therefore a national responsibility.
Pan Trinbago has also been actively pursuing initiatives that advance the Steelpan beyond the traditional Carnival cycle.
Pan Trinbago officially announced the Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan Geographical Indication Board, following the Geographical Indication application filed by Pan Trinbago in 2024. This represents an important step in protecting the identity, authenticity, heritage and economic value of the Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan.
Pan Trinbago has also submitted its biennial achievements relating to the development of the Steelpan since the National Musical Instrument Act was proclaimed.
The achievement of World Steelpan Day, celebrated annually on August 11, is another significant milestone. The United Nations declaration, supported by 84 countries, recognises the Steelpan’s social, historical, cultural and economic significance and its potential contribution to sustainable development.
These are only some of the many initiatives and achievements taking place within the movement.
Pan Trinbago readily acknowledges that there is more to be done. But the answer is not to suggest that nothing is happening.
Year-round, the Steelpan movement hosts activities across every region, while encouraging panyards to become sustainable community cultural centres.
The calendar includes:
January–March: Carnival and Panorama preparation, panyard fundraising, concerts, community activities, sponsorship drives and post-Carnival programmes.
April: The Biennial National Steelband Music Festival, showcasing the steel orchestra beyond the Panorama repertoire through classical, contemporary, gospel, jazz and other musical genres.
May: Pan in the 21st Century, focusing on technology, innovation, manufacturing, intellectual property, music production, entrepreneurship and the creative economy.
June: Pan Down Memory Lane, celebrating our legends, veterans and history while connecting generations through concerts, exhibitions and oral histories.
July: National Steelpan Summer Camps and Youth Fusion Fest, providing young people with music literacy, instrument training, arranging, leadership, creative expression and career-development opportunities. Youth Fusion Fest further demonstrates how the Steelpan can be integrated with other artistic disciplines and contemporary forms of youth expression, creating new pathways for participation and engagement.
July–August: Steelpan Month /August Fest, including World Steelpan Day celebrations, regional activities, concerts, Steelpan Village and educational and cultural programmes.
August: The Steelpan and Powder Parade, bringing Steelpan into the streets in a major public celebration beyond the traditional Panorama competition.
September: Panorama preparation intensifies, with rehearsals, player development, sponsorship drives, community engagement and panyard fundraising.
October: Tobago Carnival, THA Tobago Panorama, Tobago Steelband showcases and other regional activities.
November: Continued Panorama development, music literacy, Steelband administration, youth development and fundraising programmes.
December: Christmas in the Panyard, including concerts, community events, food fairs, markets and corporate performances.
This is not a movement waiting for Carnival to arrive.
The objective is also to encourage each panyard to develop its own sustainability plan, using its space throughout the year to generate revenue.
Panyards can host concerts, music classes, summer camps, youth programmes, food fairs, cultural festivals, corporate functions, weddings, community events, merchandise sales, recording and rehearsal activities, tourism experiences and other income-generating programmes.
The approach is simple: the panyard must evolve from a place where a Steelband rehearses into a sustainable community cultural enterprise.
That requires investment, partnerships, business training and infrastructure, not simply criticism of the movement.
Pan Trinbago continues to engage Government and stakeholders, represent its membership, support Steelbands and develop initiatives beyond Carnival.
We welcome constructive ideas, but those ideas must be accompanied by an accurate appreciation of the tremendous work already being done by Steelbands, players, arrangers, tuners, volunteers and the organisation itself.
The Steelpan movement is not dormant between Carnival seasons. It is a year-round cultural, social and economic ecosystem.
There is no season for Pan. There is Pan 365.
Perhaps the greatest irony is that an opinion intended to question the development of the Steelpan movement risks undermining the very institution, communities and people working to advance it.
So perhaps the question should not be:
“After Carnival, what next for Steelpan?”
But rather:
“What would Carnival be without Steelpan?”
Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C.
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