News Releases

National Steel Symphony Orchestra in concert at UWI

For Release Upon Receipt - May 26, 2009

St. Augustine


The Holy Saviour Parish is delighted to present the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO), featuring the revolutionary “G” pans, in concert at the Daaga Auditorium of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine on Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 5 p.m. The NSSO will be joined in this festive concert by popular Southern singer Michele Dowrich.

The NSSO was formed in late 2007 under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs and is comprised of thirty-five of the country’s finest steelpan players, who were auditioned both for the high quality of their technical skills and for their reading abilities. The Orchestra, conducted by Jessel Murray, exclusively plays the “G” pans which were developed at The University of the West Indies by a team lead by national award winner Professor Brian Copeland, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Daily rehearsals have allowed the Orchestra to build up a sizeable repertoire of local and international Classical music and Latin repertoire, as well as Jazz and Calypso standards.

Music Director, Jessel Murray says that the concert “promises to change the way that some people think about classical and classic pan music!”

This is the first concert event for the NSSO since their much lauded appearance at the recently concluded 5th Summit of the Americas in April where they played for the 34 Heads of State and Government. This follows an earlier performance this year at a reception held at President’s House for King Juan Carlos of Spain, and follows many other performances in 2008 including formal concerts at Queen’s Hall, Naparima Bowl, the Vanguard Hotel in Tobago (the former Tobago Hilton); and a high profile concert at Carifesta X in Guyana. There have been other notable performances as well including those at the Phase II Pan Theatre and The Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre, both in December, and an outdoor performance for the Borough Day Festivities in Point Fortin in May, 2009.  

Tickets cost $100 and may be obtained from Mrs. Valerie West (682-1685), Mrs. Brenda Fraser (684-6732), members of the Holy Saviour Anglican Choir, Holy Saviour Anglican Church Office or The St. John Anglican Church, Petit Bourg.

For more information, please contact Canon Steve West, Holy Saviour Anglican Church Parish Office, Curepe at (868) 662 5178 or 682 1685, or weststeve@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

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