More than just a win – Sion Hill steel band captain

The capture of a sixth consecutive Panorama title by the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra has just started to sink into the consciousness of the band’s captain, Tillal Webb.{{more}}

Almost two weeks after the record setting feat, Webb said he is only now acknowledging the magnitude of what happened.

“I was shocked at the number of persons who listen to steel pan … When they meet me and offered congratulations …, it is a great feeling to know that persons in the community listen to us and behind us one hundred per cent,” a still elated Webb said.

Stating that the title was a testimony to the support from the community, Webb said: “A lot of persons from the community came out and bought t-shirts and came to the park to support us…. Those who did not come to the park, listened on radio… You felt it in the community; they came out to hear us practice…. They helped us in different ways, financially and otherwise … They helped us decorate; when we go to the park, we represent the Sion Hill community here in St Vincent and the Grenadines and those overseas.”

Webb noted that winning this year’s Panorama meant a lot, given some of the negative publicity that the community received in recent times because of some social fall outs.

Webb, who served as arranger before the band turned to Trinidadian Seion Gomez in 2008, revealed that Gomez has brought a lot of positives to the band.

“Since he has come into the band, he has brought the band to a different level from where I left it… He has made Sion Hill Euphonium stronger and better players… I can brag and boast that we have some of the best players in the country, thanks to Gomez… I personally have learnt a lot from him in my development in arranging,” Webb said with a smile of gratification.

The band’s captain paid tribute to the founders of the band who had the vision over 33 years ago, who have laid the platform to make the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra, a growing institution.

He was also grateful to previous arrangers of the band other than himself, which included Alphonsus “Two Food” Gordon, Errol Isaacs, Treldon “Tooboo” Williams, Glenford “Azara” Charles.

Webb agreed that the band has come a long way from being located in an abandoned building to a galvanize shed to a proper concrete structure.

In addition to the improved physical setting, Webb believes that the annual training programme carried out during the August vacation since 1995, has helped immensely in the development of the band.

“The summer programme is very helpful in building the band and assuring the future; that is one of the fundamental things that has put the band ahead of the others,” Webb highlighted.

“When you can train the youngsters this year and they can play in Junior Panorama the next year, it says a lot,” he added.

Webb revealed that the growth in the junior players and the improved skills of the senior players, meant that fewer members of the Buccooneers band from Trinidad, a band with which the Sion Hill Euphonium has an exchange programme, were needed in this year’s panorama.

Employing some 67 players on their way to their sixth title, Webb envisages a swelling of the numbers next year, as many of the juniors players will want to graduate to the senior band.

Webb said that the band wants to continue its winning ways and remain the pride and joy of the Sion Hill community.

Sion Hill Euphonium, which started in 1981, had to wait until 2009, to lift its first Panorama title, when the band rendered Winston Soso’s “Hand in the Air”.

In 2010, Johnny Rebel’s – “Follow Me” was the song of choice for the band’s second win, and the hat trick was completed in 2011, when the chosen song was “We Come to Get On”, by the Rebels band.

The beaver trick was attained in 2012 with Rejector’s – “Pan Revolution”, and win number five on the trot was achieved in 2013 with the arranger’s version of De Man Age’s “I’m Yours”.

The history making moment came with the playing of Ron Pompey’s “Bussin It”, on the night of Steel and Glitter on July 3 at the Victoria Park.

Webb acknowledged the contribution of the team of Jude “Kool Dude” Shepherd and Wayne “Pele” Smith, who are charged with the responsibility of making the choices of the song the band plays at Panorama.

Webb also thanked those corporate entities and individuals who continue to throw their financial support and other forms of assistance to the band over the years.

“We have a good combination, a good thing going… We just want to keep on winning,” Webb concluded.(RT)