Thirty-one new pannists enter Sion Hill Euphonium fold

Thirty-one new pannists have been added to the resource base of the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra, following six weeks of introductory tutelage to the steel pan.{{more}}

Their induction took place last Sunday afternoon at the Sion Hill Village hard court, as the organisation held its 13th annual graduation ceremony.

The number of graduates this year showed a slight increase from last year’s, when 24 were enrolled in the programme.

Speakers at last Sunday’s graduation, the manager of the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra Warren Knights, Youlou Pan Movement president Oneka Morgan, as well as area representative Arnhim Eustace, all extolled the importance of keeping the youngsters involved in positive undertakings.

Eustace used the occasion to congratulate Knights and senior band member and the arranger of the junior band Rodney Small, on the attainment of Bachelor’s degrees.

And, when the spotlight fell on the graduates, they delighted the audience as they unleashed the four songs which were taught to them by Jason James, Angelique Fitzpatrick, Kezlon Providence and Donnique John.

Rendering different genres of music – from Bomani’s “Saga Boy” to Hadaway’s “What is Love”, as well as Celine Dion’s “Beauty and the Beast” and Michael Jackson’s “You are not Alone” – the 31 graduates demonstrated their new knowledge on the steel pan with pride.

Knights, Morgan and Eustace presented the certificates to the graduates. (RT)