To advance the legacy of steelpan and encourage youth participation in its cultural sustainability, Pan Trinbago relaunched the Youth Arm Committee on Friday.
Education Officer at Pan Trinbago, Candice Andrews-Brumant, explained that the key mission of this initiative is to empower young pannists through mentorship, education, and innovation.
“Its mission is to empower young pannists through modern technology, community involvement, and expanded, global opportunities. Overview of the Pan Trinbago Youth Arm: The Pan Trinbago Youth Arm Committee is a dynamic committee dedicated to nurturing future leaders, fostering innovation, and ensuring the steelpan’s sustainability. Under my leadership, this initiative emphasises succession planning, mentorship, and cultural sustainability.”
Minister of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts, Randall Mitchell, commended Pan Trinbago, saying this comes at the right time with the recognition of the steelpan as the national instrument and as part of the Coat of Arms.
“If you are paying attention, but how could you not? The latest in that momentum is that the Government, through the Parliament, has taken the step to modify the Coat of Arms to remove those Columbus ships and to put the steelpan at the centre of our Coat of Arms.”
With the aim of spearheading the inclusion of youth in roles that foster positive outcomes in their lives, President of Pan Trinbago, Beverley Ramsey-Moore, shared why this is pertinent.
“Youth is the springtime of life. It is that time that when we can impact on the direction that our young people are going. It is a time when our young people are full of energy and purpose. It is a time when we can prune the branches, thereby creating a renewal in the life and purpose of our young people.”
The Youth Arm Committee consists of young leaders representing various regions and band categories and acts as a body committed to advancing the success and the appreciation of the steelpan as a national instrument.