The story of the Steelpan | Mia Gormandy-Benjamin | TEDxPortofSpainWomen
Joseph, who saw the steel pan as an alternative path from a life of crime, illustrates that the instrument is a profound tool for social change, national pride, and cross-cultural connection. He supports this by detailing the pan's versatility in playing various genres and its effectiveness as an educational tool adaptable for almost anyone. The call to action is for listeners to consider how they can align themselves with the global movement.
## Speakers & Context
- Speaker presents evidence of the steel pan's potential for social change, cultural preservation, and education.
- Speaker shares a personal anecdote about a 16-year-old named Joseph.
- The context involves showcasing the steel pan's utility beyond mere music performance.
## Theses & Positions
- The steel pan is significant beyond its musical role; it is a symbol of national pride, culture, and social change.
- The steel pan can provide an alternative way of life for those whose paths may seem predetermined or limited.
- The instrument's ability to unite disparate groups (religious, cultural, societal) makes it a powerful force for building community.
- The steel pan is an excellent educational tool because it is beginner-friendly and develops transferable skills like space awareness through music memorization.
- People should position and align themselves with the global steel pan movement, viewing it as a potential solution for various societal needs (at-risk youth, divided communities, educational engagement).
## Concepts & Definitions
- **Steel Pan:** An instrument invented in Trinidad in the late 1930s, developed throughout the 40s and 50s.
- **Alternative way of life:** A path chosen for self-improvement and opportunity, contrasting with a life dictated by circumstance (e.g., crime).
- **Community:** Groups built through shared experience, specifically highlighted by cross-cultural collaborations.
## Mechanisms & Processes
- **Social Change Mechanism:** Using music (steel pan) to create an environment where traditionally divided groups (Arab Christians, Arab Muslims, Jewish youth) can perform together.
- **Unification Mechanism:** Virtual projects like "Pan in Unity" bring disparate global groups together via a shared musical focus.
- **Educational Skill Development:** Learning the steel pan builds space awareness (following others on the sheet music) and develops transferable skills applicable to classroom learning.
- **Beginner Friendliness:** The instrument allows for beautiful sounds from a single hit of the re-st (re-string/part of the instrument, implied).
## Timeline & Sequence
- **Late 1930s:** Invention of the steel pan in Trinidad.
- **1940s & 1950s:** Development and maturation of the instrument.
- **2014:** Initiation of the peace drums project in Israel and Palestine.
- **During the pandemic:** Production of the "Pan in Unity" virtual project.
- **When the speaker was younger:** Used steel pan skills mentally to aid in learning schoolwork.
## Named Entities
- **Joseph:** A 16-year-old boy who attended the speaker for counseling; now a graduate of the academy for the Performing Arts, holding a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.
- **Academy for the Performing Arts:** Institution Joseph graduated from.
- **Trinidad:** Location where the steel pan was invented and where the speaker is currently located.
- **Israel and Palestine:** Region where the peace drums project was instituted.
## Numbers & Data
- Age of Joseph: **16 years old** (at the time of the initial conversation).
- Completion of secondary school exams: **When Joseph visited the speaker**.
- Countries in the virtual project: **23 countries** (examples cited: Bahrain, Indonesia, South Africa, Finland, United Arab Emirates).
- Number of pists in the virtual project: **691 pists**.
- Number of steel bands represented in the project: **691**.
## Examples & Cases
- **Joseph's narrative:** Joseph stated his desire to pursue music to show his younger siblings and cousins an *"alternative way of living life"* than crime.
- **Peace Drums Project:** Created an environment in a region heavily rooted in war (Israel/Palestine) allowing Arab Christians, Arab Muslims, and Jewish youth to perform together.
- **Virtual Steelband Project ("Pan in Unity"):** Brought together persons from 23 countries to unify through music, demonstrating that culture/region does not limit unity.
- **Cross-Cultural Connection:** Japanese panists connecting with Spanish panists through the virtual project in Spain.
- **Family example:** Some of Joseph's family members are currently playing the steel pan and contributing to the community.
## Tools, Tech & Products
- **Steel Pan:** The central instrument.
- **Re-st:** Part of the steel pan used to produce sound with a quick hit.
## References Cited
- None explicitly mentioned, though the speaker implies the existence of the "Ministry of Education" or general "educational system" framework in Trinidad and Tobago.
## Trade-offs & Alternatives
- **Crime life vs. Music Career:** The direct comparison Joseph made, choosing a structured, skilled path over a life of criminality.
- **Division vs. Unity:** Comparing deeply divided regions (e.g., religious conflict zones) to the unifying potential shown by the pan.
- **Instrument Learning:** Comparing the steep learning curve of instruments like the violin versus the beginner-friendly nature of the steel pan.
## Counterarguments & Caveats
- The speaker admits that the sentiments expressed by Joseph were not unfamiliar, as similar expressions have been heard from other candidates.
## Methodology
- The speaker uses personal anecdotes (Joseph) and historical/contemporary examples (Israel/Palestine, Pandemic virtual projects) to build a case for the steel pan's potential.
- Analysis of the instrument's mechanics (versatility, beginner-friendliness) to prove its utility.
## Conclusions & Recommendations
- The steel pan can serve as an engine for social change, cultural cross-pollination, and personal direction, regardless of the initial circumstances of the community or individual.
- Listeners are directly encouraged to view the steel pan as a solution or point of engagement for at-risk youth, divided communities, and educational efforts.
- The ultimate action is to consider how one can align with the growing global steel pan movement.
## Implications & Consequences
- The steel pan's potential extends to creating visible, tangible connections where deep division or hardship previously existed.
- The development of the instrument moves it from a local cultural artifact to a recognized global tool for reconciliation and education.
## Verbatim Moments
- *"I come from a family of crime know my cousins and them my older brothers and them on the street I have little brothers and sisters coming up and that's all they seeing for their future I am a good pan and I know I could be a successful musician one day and I want to show them there's an alternative way of living life."*
- *"the steel pan is one of significance not only is it a symbol of national pride not only does it represent culture music competition for some of us Carnival"*
- *"this is an alternative way of life for others it provides a euphoric experience that cannot be duplicated and for some this is a symbol of social change"*
- *"we can all be unified through music and through steel pan"*
- *"Can you imagine the impact a project like that can have on that region if it were to be expanded?"*
- *"so this instrument is also one that you will find in schools right here in Trinidad and Tobago we have primary schools secondary schools University level education"*
- *"the steel pan with just one quick hit of the the rest can produce a beautiful sound"*
- *"I'm here to ask you again what do you think when you see this instrument how can you be a part of this Global Steel pan movement that is spreading like wildfire"*