Starlift – building a lasting legacy

Their motto is straightforward: “Man will come, man will go, but Starlift forever remains.”

It’s a clear indication that whoever coined that tag line, was looking at longevity and institution over individuality.

That may very well explain why the Starlift Steel Orchestra is this year marking 50 years of existence, and almost 40 years since the inception of its summer programme for youths, in which children, some as young as seven, are taught to play the pan.

September 2017 was festive at the band’s Block 2000 pan yard, as some 60 youngsters received certificates, having completed the programme.

From the tentative notes tapped out at the start of the programme, graduates confidently let their pans talk, as they thrilled parents/guardians, band members and well-wishers.

The programme began in 1980 under the tutelage of Kingsley “Hero” Roberts, Starlift’s musical director and arranger.

This year, he expected to cater for 50; however, 75 youngsters turned up, so, the sessions had to be shortened to two one-hour segments, rather than a single 90-minute session, three days a week.

“When you’re showcasing the graduates, I think they should be able to play a song or two, so I push them, using a “musical shortcut to get them there,” Roberts explained to SEARCHLIGHT on the second day of training.

During those five weeks he took time evaluating the performance of participants and soon would be informing the parents whose children have been selected to join STARLIFT Juniors.

“I give you time – for instance, you might have this player – you’re not seeing the potential, and the playing ability [may be] coming from him rather than her, but you never know, within a week that can spin,” added Roberts who looks not only at aptitude among his charges, but also discipline.

Sessions begin with prayer, followed by wrist warm-up exercises and also include information on pan hygiene.

At Vincy Mas 2017, STARLIFT celebrated big for its 50th anniversary, lifting the senior Panorama title; Roberts recalled that this was their 22nd.

A few months earlier, the public demonstrated appreciation by voting the STARLIFT Steel Orchestra ‘Best Steel Band’ in the Best of SVG 2017 Awards.

“It’s a good feeling,” Roberts remarked, as he reflected on the early years of their existence.

In that era, the pans were housed under a leaking shed and “you [didn’t] have a door to lock…so we have come a long way.”

Roberts proudly pointed to the orchestra’s record 22 Panorama wins, and among those to whom he gives credit is former arranger, Vernon Coombs, who “ put Starlift on a footing,” on which they continue to build.

Other milestones were the concerts of 2009 and 2010 that “were on the more classical side and show our versatility.”

A series of island tours is in the making for October this year, as Starlift continues to mark its golden jubilee. On December 16, 2017, while details are still under wraps, Roberts revealed: “We will be climaxing with our big, wonderful, most beautiful concert… that will be a blast.”

Some youngsters from the 2017 summer programme will likely to be rubbing shoulders with STARLIFT veterans beating out sweet pan.