Pan Extravaganza surpasses expectations

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

When organiser Dwight McBean and his team planned to stage a Pan Extravaganza to raise funds for the Kingston Parish Church-based steel band, Musical Apostles, they had no idea of the overwhelming support they would have received.

But that was the case last Sunday when many turned out to the Kingston Parish Church to - in the words of home rector, Bishop E. Don Taylor - "make a difference".

"This evening is more than just a programme; it is more than just entertainment; it is a meeting to minister for the Lord," continued the rather cordial bishop

Bishop Taylor was accurate in his assessment - of the first half, that is.

Fuelled by the four steel bands, all church based: Stella Maris Steel Band, Church of the Ascension Steel Orchestra, Church of the Transfiguration Steel Band and Musical Apostles Steel Band, the opening segment was indeed a case of making beautiful noise unto the Lord.

sombre-coloured tops

With members dressed, predominantly, in degrees of pastel and sombre-coloured tops, the four steel bands were captivating and had some members of the audience remarking "it is awesome; it is fantastic".

And after combining forces to perform the David Aaron-composed We are Gathered for the opening selection of the programme, it was time for each band to showcase their skills on pan.

The Musical Apostles were delightful with Father Ho Lung's Enter into Jerusalem and Church of the Transfiguration gave a wonderful performance of the Rasheeda Smith-arranged Ancient of Days.

And the honour of closing the first section was given to Stella Maris Steel Band, the lone Catholic group in the mix. They answered with the Gay Magnus-arranged Caribbean medley, which included negro spiritual songs such as I am Under the Rock.

While all four bands gave tantalising performances in the second half of the show, it was the Church of the Ascension steel band that gave an unforgettable performance of a ska medley. Although small in number (eight), the experienced band of 'steel panners' had the audience singing and rocking to songs like Wings of a Dove, Sammy Dead O' and Rivers of Babylon.

The programme concluded as it began with all four bands once again coming together to give another excellent performance.

ceremonies

Vocalists Carole Reid and Andrew Lawrence shared in the programme with splendid deliveries of Love Changes Everything (Reid) and Time To Say Good Bye (Lawrence). Lawrence also acted as the master of ceremonies.

Musical Apostles Steel Band was formed in 2008. Dwight McBean, who teaches and assists, explained how the group came into being.

"We had a summer school and introduced a little music and they stayed."

One of the children, Albert McDonald, a member of the band since its inception, described the experience as being great.

Newcomer Kristen Kay Fisher, on the other hand, said playing in the band gives her the opportunity to give back to the Lord.

McBean further explained that the number of instruments were limited and so slowed down the teaching of techniques, as two students have to share. Thus, the concert, Pan Extravaganza.

"I am overwhelmed by the support. There's a demand for pan music and we may make it an annual event," he told The Gleaner.